The World Health Organisation has called for the provision of health services for migrants.

The agency said it is working to advance migrant health and strengthen health systems along migration routes to achieve universal health coverage.

WHO stated this in a message to mark the 2025 International Migrants Day, celebrated annually on December 18 to promote migrants’ rights, including their right to health.

WHO/Europe marks International Migrants Day by joining the International Organisation for Migration in its call to support people in finding safety and opportunity by ensuring access to health services throughout their migration journeys.

The health dimensions of migration include how human mobility affects physical and mental well-being, access to health services, and the continuity of care across borders, as well as whether health systems respond in inclusive and equitable ways.

Protecting migrants’ health is essential for collective development, social cohesion and resilient health systems, and it is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage.

Migration is a long-standing part of human history, shaped by people moving for varied reasons and along diverse routes. An estimated 94.1 million international migrants live in the European region, which means that nearly 1 in 8 people is a migrant.

People move in search of safety, opportunity, education or family, often facing health risks along the way – from disrupted continuity of care and occupational hazards to mental health stressors.

Ensuring access to quality, continuous and people-centred health services at every stage of the migration journey is therefore a public health priority.

Migrants make an invaluable economic and cultural contribution to the countries where they live. Many migrants are doctors, nurses and other health professionals who contribute directly to service delivery, innovation and workforce sustainability.

Their skills, knowledge and lived experiences demonstrate how mobility – when supported by inclusive health policies – can advance both population health and development outcomes.

Ensuring universal health coverage requires removing the barriers that continue to prevent migrants from accessing timely and quality care.

Many migrants face legal and administrative restrictions, language and cultural barriers, limited continuity of care and reduced access to preventive services.

Addressing these obstacles is critical to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that no one is left behind.

“Healthy societies are built when everyone has the opportunity to be healthy,” Corinne Capuano, director of programme management at WHO/Europe, said. “Health systems that are accessible to migrants not only protect individual well-being, but also strengthen equity, resilience and sustainable development for all.”

Through collaboration with Member States and partners, including IOM and the European Union, WHO/Europe supports countries in building migrant-inclusive health systems, strengthening health workforce capacity and ensuring continuity of care from arrival to long-term integration.

Many governments and partners worldwide are working within and across countries to adopt strategies, policies and plans to address migration-related challenges and to improve the health and well-being of migrants.

In October 2023, countries adopted the Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health in the WHO European Region 2023–2030 at the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

(NAN)