western culture and society pose serious threats to the health of migrants and refugees than they do to host nations, according to WHO report.

‘According to WHO Europe, there is only a very low risk of migrants transmitting infectious diseases to the host populations. Instead, as a result of the impact of western lifestyle and poor living conditions, migrants and refugees are highly susceptible to contract the illness.’

The report also claims that migrants neither transmit diseases nor place a disproportionate burden on the healthcare systems and calls for the host nations to provide healthcare services to them considering the facts and not on politics or prejudice. 




The report criticizes the UK for imposing charges on migrants and refugees for their healthcare. Dr. Santino Severoni, the coordinator of public health and migration for WHO Europe, said: “This report is a wonderful opportunity to diffuse false myths, misperceptions, and negative narrative. Health is very politicized and used as a tool of fear, but this report has very solid facts and data that is coming from our member states.”
In December, as many as 70,000 doctors protested against the charges hospitals impose on overseas visitors for NHS care and against the denial of antenatal care in pregnant women and treatments for serious illnesses in children.
Some other facts from the report:
• Refugees and migrants are at lower risk of all forms of cancer but are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Advertisements
• Unaccompanied minors are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and experience higher rates of depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Advertisements
The report suggests the best way to protect the health of those in host nations and newcomers is to provide good-quality, affordable healthcare to the refugees and migrants irrespective of their legal status and making it linguistically and culturally accessible.
Source-Medindia