The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the Ehlazeni District Municipality (EDM), recently convened the first ever dialogue focusing on migration and health in the District on 16 to 17 October at the at Pine Lake Inn, White River (Nelspruit).

Building on the recommendations from the consultation on migration and health held early this year and the SALGA policy position “The role of Local Government on Migration,” the summit sought to accelerate progress made thus far in addressing the health and wellness of migrants and other mobile populations and communities affected by migration in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality.

Delegates reviewed immigration, labour, gender, economic development and child policies and practices, and their implications on health, with the specific aim of addressing the root causes of migration related health issues in the District.

Access, availability and accessibility of strategic information and research on migration and health are vital to ensure evidence based programming and intervention. Delegates also shared best practices and document lessons learned towards implementing migrant-sensitive health services and programmes in the district.

The summit also discussed emerging issues related to migration and health like human trafficking, unaccompanied minors, migration and gender as well as the need for enhanced cross-border collaborations.

The 2012- 2016 Mpumalanga Provincial Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS, STI and TB includes migrants as one of the key populations at risk due to high levels of mobility in the province and challenges in accessing health services. While there is strategic direction on how to reduce the negative impact of migration on health, implementation of such polices is still a challenge due to limited knowledge on the subject of migration and health in the district.

“Migrants continue to face challenges and barriers at different levels making them vulnerable to HIV and TB. This summit will facilitate strategic partnerships with NGOs and government at all levels to facilitate access to health services and programmes for migrants, specifically HIV, STIs and TB prevention, care and support services,” says Dabea Gaboutloeloe, IOM Migration and Health National Coordinator.

The summit contributed to efforts by the Government of South Africa’s National Strategic Plan (NSP) to reduce HIV and TB incidence and mitigate related impact to achieve the ultimate goals of Zero New Infections.

The first Ehlanzeni Migrants’ Health Forum was also launched at this event.

This Migration and Health summit forms part of the IOM Ripfumelo HIV/AIDS/STI & TB Prevention and Care Programme for Migrants, Mobile Populations and Communities Affected by Migration. The programme is funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
For more information please contact Gaone Dixon at IOM Pretoria, Tel: +27 72 127 7094 or Email: gdixon@iom.int