Minsk, Belarus – On 5 November, a roundtable was held as part of the project implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and titled "Supporting National Capacities in Migration Health Focusing on Communicable Diseases".

Participants included representatives from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Border Committee, World Health Organization (WHO), Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and various public organizations such as the Belarusian Medical Workers' Movement and the Business Women Club. They gathered to discuss the Ministry of Health’s three-year plan aimed at making systemic changes to improve healthcare access for migrants.

“Remaining healthy is a fundamental condition without which migrants cannot work, be productive, or contribute to the development of society in both origin and destination countries,” emphasized Mahym Orazmuhammedova, IOM Belarus Chief of Mission.

To achieve positive outcomes in health and migration, migrants must have equal rights to access medical assistance and social services. A flexible system that addresses migrants’ healthcare needs is essential.

During the roundtable, participants reviewed the final recommendations and work plan developed as part of the project, as well as the financial and technical opportunities for implementing further steps related to migrant health. Key goals include enhancing medical support for migrants and minimizing risks associated with infectious diseases.

Summarizing the project, IOM also presented national partners with the key results of the project’s implementation.

The roundtable was held as part of the “Supporting National Capacities in Migration Health Focusing on Communicable Diseases” project, implemented by IOM in Belarus in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus and funded by the IOM Development Fund.