Hon Beth Mugo EGH, MP will spearhead a national consultation to address the health care needs of migrants and mobile populations in Kenya on 4th, 5th and 6th May, 2011
− EMBARGOED: 27th APRIL 2011 −
27 April 2011
The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MoPHS) in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will host a National Consultation on Migration Health to reach a common consensus on securing quality health care for migrants and mobile populations in Kenya.
The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Hon Beth Mugo EGH, MP will open the conference held in Mombasa on 4 – 6 May 2011. The occasion will also be graced by the Permanent Secretary, Mark Bor, and the Director of Public Health and Sanitation, Dr S. K. Sharif.
“I want to urge all of you to think of migrants and mobile populations as people who deserve to live healthy lives among us. We must welcome and accommodate them in our laws, policies, and health care systems. We are a country that runs ahead of others, and it is our duty to show strong leadership in the area of migration health” states Hon Beth Mugo EGH, MP.
Migrants and mobile populations are deterred from accessing essential health care services due to a number of social factors, such as irregular immigration status, language barriers and access to services at a certain time of day. Such disparities are having a profound impact on migrants, mobile populations and Kenya as a whole. The National Consultation on Migration Health will challenge current inequities and build a framework for providing available, affordable and non-discriminatory health care in Kenya, including migrants who are largely marginalized.
Ashraf El Nour, Regional Representative for IOM adds: “With strong commitment, accountability and coordination from the Kenyan Government and partners I trust this consultation will act as a concrete stepping stone for ensuring we make a real impact on securing quality health care for all those who reside within Kenya.”
The conference will delve into four thematic areas: HIV, tuberculosis, maternal and child health and psychosocial health among migrants and the communities that host them. Participants will discuss social factors that impact vulnerability and health inequities and chart a way forward for strengthening programmes and polices.
The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation works towards making Kenya a nation free from preventable diseases and ill health by implementing priority interventions in public health through a specific strategic framework.
International Organization for Migration
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governments and non-governmental partners.
For more information, images or interviews please contact:
Joseph Kamotho, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
Chief Communications Officer
072 198 3810
Celeste Hibbert, the International Organization for Migration, Health Division
Communications Officer
073 197 4026
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