Telling stories about migration and health has become a priority for a country that, today, has more than 2.5 million Venezuelan migrants; half of them recognizing themselves as living in poverty. The workshops will be held in 11 municipalities and will discuss how to address these types of stories so as not to misinform or cause stigma. 

LHSS Colombia works with national governments to enhance the health system, focusing on local leadership, care, and integration in cities with high migratory flows like Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín.

With increased migration around the world posing unique challenges and opportunities for health systems, efforts to better integrate and include migrants and host communities in national health systems are an integral part of the global health equity agenda. 

To strengthen institutional capacities in the Mandatory Health Quality Assurance System of the Ministry of Health of Cúcuta, the Communidades Saludables of USAID and the Fundación Salutia delivered the Health Quality Management Model with its technological tool TGUÍA – IV.

Using performance-based financing, this pilot project represents a significant achievement for the Colombian healthcare system, improving the optimization of financial resources, enhancing key indicators, and notably impacting outcomes, especially for migrant pregnant women—an area receiving special attention from local and national health authorities.

"Through Communidades Saludables, USAID delivered an important donation to amplify the impact of the work carried out by the Valle del Lili Foundation and ProPacífico, incorporating a focus on vulnerable populations such as migrants of different nationalities (mostly Venezuelans)."

The adopted strategy will improve the quality standards of medical care using telemedicine.

Having proven invaluable in helping Ukrainians access health care throughout the Russian invasion, telemedicine is poised to play an integral role in health care delivery in Ukraine after the war ends. 

Ukraine is facing extraordinary challenges to its health system amidst the Russian invasion, including attacks on Ukrainian medical facilities and infrastructure. To restore and maintain critical health services to Ukraine’s dispersed population, the Ministry of Health is strengthening its capacity to offer medical consultations via telemedicine. This two-page Progress Update describes LHSS technical assistance for the effort and results as of January 2023.

Colombia ha emergido como líder en la elaboración de políticas que integran a los migrantes a la economía y la sociedad, garantizan su derecho universal a la salud y movilizan recursos nacionales para cumplir con la creciente demanda de servicios de salud.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused many doctors to leave the country, compromised patients’ safety when seeking care, and displaced large portions of the population away from their primary health care providers. A strong national telemedicine system will be key to assuring access to health services for Ukrainians, now and in the future. Experiences from other conflict/disaster areas may provide insights, helping Ukraine assess and implement its own telemedicine response.

When the next emergency hits, health authorities will have a plan ready to activate. 

Colombia has emerged as a leader in creating policies to integrate migrants into the economy and society, guaranteeing their right to health and mobilizing domestic resources to meet the increased demand for health services.

For countries facing a large influx of migrants, the best way to ensure that these new members of society have sustained access to essential health services is to have a long-term strategy – one that builds on existing health platforms.

Population movement of this magnitude places huge stress on health systems in receptor countries. How can health care for migrants be financed? How can health system capacity be expanded? And how can health sector policies and national migration policies be harmonized?