The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has called on the Maldivian government, the Ministry of Health, the general public and migrant communities to cooperate in the implementation of the newly launched National Migrant Health Policy.
The National Migrant Health Policy, inaugurated on 30 June, is designed to ensure the health of migrants living in the Maldives and to facilitate equitable access to health services. The main objective of this policy is to protect and ensure the right to basic healthcare for foreigners.
Speaking on PSM News' Raajje Miadhu programme, Maldives National Programme Manager at IOM, Ahmed Mohamed, said that approximately 70,000 foreigners are working across the Maldives without valid documentation. He noted that while the main objective of the National Migrant Health Policy is to protect and ensure the basic health rights of foreigners, this work requires collaborative efforts beyond the government.
"This is a huge task, and cannot be the sole responsibility of just a government or a health ministry. The media can play a very important role, and civil society or civil societies can also play a role in this. Island councils also have an important role to play to eliminate discrimination,”he noted.
The Director of Public Works at the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Sana Saleem said 40 per cent of the foreigners living in the Maldives reside in the Male’ area alone Therefore, those who bring employees must also fulfill the responsibility of closely monitoring their affairs, she noted.
"One of the most important things we are noticing is that responsibility. It's very important that those who recruit employees take that responsibility, without discrimination. This includes arrangements such as their travel to the Maldives, taking care of their health, timely payment of their insurance fees, and prompt transfer to health care facilities in the case of a health issue,” Sana said.
Sana further noted that cooperation from individual citizens and migrant workers are also important to successfully implement the National Migrant Health Policy.
The national policy on the health of foreigners is focused on five main areas
• Changing perceptions across government and society as a whole
• Provide quality health services to foreigners
• Collect and use valid information
• Reduce vulnerabilities
• Establishment of systems
The Ministry of Health said that with the implementation of the policy, the rights of migrants to basic healthcare will be fully protected and ensured along with equitable and inclusive health care for all.