IOM radiologist examining a migrant's X-ray (2011)

Migration health activities encompass a variety of services corresponding to the emerging challenges that the mobile populations in Ukraine are facing. Migration health assessments are IOM Ukraine’s largest migration health service.

Health assessments consist of an evaluation of the physical and mental health status of migrants, made either prior to departure or upon arrival, for the purpose of resettlement, international employment, enrolment in specific migrant assistance programs, or for obtaining a temporary or permanent visa. IOM Ukraine performs health assessments for the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America.

Reflecting national differences in immigration and public policies and practices, there is a diverse range of assessment requirements. The purpose of health assessments is to ensure that migration does not endanger the health of the migrants or pose a public health risk during travel or upon arrival at the final destination. In addition, health assessments identify and address conditions of public health concern in order to mitigate the impact of the migrants’ disease burden on national health or social services.

Since its inception in 1997, IOM Ukraine’s migration health department provided health assessment services to more than 185,000 migrants. In response to the request of countries, IOM has partnered with medical, laboratory and radiology services in Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa in order to ensure the delivery of efficient, customized and quality services in the major cities of Ukraine. In the context of health assessments, IOM Ukraine provides other complementary travel and integration-oriented health promotion services such as treatment, counseling, health education, immunization and medical escorts.

Migration health activities have evolved from health assessments over the years in response to the changing needs of migrants and governments and the increased international awareness of the health-related dimensions of migration patterns. IOM Ukraine, aside from provision of health assessments to regular migrants, promotes the physical, mental and social well-being of migrants and mobile populations irrespective of their legal status.

In addition, IOM is advocating for evidence-based strategies and policies needed for greater inclusion of health issues into migration and development initiatives. By addressing the health needs of migrants IOM is improving migrants’ health, protects global public health, facilitates integration of migrants and contributes to social and economic development.