Migration Health

Within its Migration Health Division (MHD), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in its role of United Nations Migration Agency, delivers and promotes comprehensive, preventive and curative health programmes which are beneficial, accessible, and equitable for migrants and mobile populations. Bridging the needs of both migrants and IOM member states, MHD, in close collaboration with partners, contributes towards the physical, mental and social well-being of migrants, enabling them and host communities to achieve social and economic development.

In Viet Nam, migration health assessments are among the most well-established migration management services offered by IOM. Migration health assessments contribute to early detection and treatment of conditions of individual and public health concern, safer travel and the prevention of negative health events during travel or on arrival at host communities. They also serve to protect the health of both migrants and host communities and reduce the expected demand for domestic health and social services.

IOM Vietnam health assessment program started in 1987. and has grown tremendously since its inception. In 2020 IOM Vietnam health assessment program provided assistance to over 19 000 migrants, evaluating their physical and mental health status prior to their departure to US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Malaysia, for the purpose of resettlement, international employment, enrolment in specific migrant assistance programs, or for obtaining a temporary or permanent visa.

Current Projects

• Supporting the Government of Viet Nam in Strengthening Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response for Vietnamese Migrants Abroad and Potential Migrants
• Enhancing Public Health Capacity for the Safe Resumption of International Travel in Viet Nam
• Technical Support through Donation of Laboratory Equipment
• Migrant Health Assessments

Completed Projects

• Strengthening Cross-Border Tuberculosis Control Along the Viet Nam and Cambodia Border
• Capacity Building for Preparing and Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic in Border Provinces of Viet Nam
• Situation Analysis of Migrant Health in Viet Nam
• Responding to Migrants’ Vulnerability to Malaria and Understanding the Migration and Epidemiology of Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria in Binh Phuoc Province, Viet Nam
• Resolution on Migrants’ Health
• Qualitative Study on Migrant Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Hanoi
• Workplace-Based Prevention & Employment & Supportive Services for High Risk Individuals in Vietnam
• Pandemic Preparedness for Migrants and Host Communities
• Programme Support for HIV Activities and Infrastructure Projects
• Adapting Information and Education Communication Materials for HIV Prevention in Infrastructure Projects: Using the IOM Safe Mobility and HIV/AIDS Video and Life-Skills Activity Package
• Study on Gender-Based Violence Experienced by Migrant Women Factory Workers
• Mobility and HIV Policy Review Self-Audit
• Labour Migrants’ HIV Knowledge and Behaviour Study
• Research on Communities Affected by HIV
• Truck Drivers and Public Health Study

Publications

• Situation Analysis of Migrant Health in Viet Nam
• Cross-border Tuberculosis Control along the Viet Nam and Cambodia Border
• Migration, Mobility and Malaria: A Study on Migrants' Vulnerability to Malaria and Epidemiology of Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria in Binh Phuoc Province, Viet Nam
• Access to Information and Health-Care Services for Vietnamese Migrant Workers Overseas During the COVID-19 Pandemic