Ensure vaccines for migrant workers

Bangladesh has urged the global community to ensure availability of affordable vaccines, medicines, and equipment for migrants in vulnerable situations, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rattle public health and economies across the globe.

"We must integrate the health of migrants and their families in the global discourse of Universal Health Coverage," said newly-elected vice president of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS Rabab Fatima.

She said this while addressing as co-chair a high-level virtual event titled "Advancing Migrant's Access to Healthcare in the Time of Covid-19" held on Thursday.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), permanent missions of Portugal, Morocco and the Friends of Migration Group jointly organised the event.

In some countries, undocumented migrants have little access to healthcare. Many migrants have also lost their jobs during the pandemic, or their earnings have dwindled, Ambassador Fatima said.

Highlighting the dire consequences facing millions of migrants due to the pandemic, she said Bangladesh has co-led a joint statement on the impact of Covid-19 on migrants in June 2020, which was eventually supported by 103 member states.

Rabab Fatima also called for incorporating the health needs of migrants in national and local health care policies and plans.