Bangladesh urges to bring migrants under universal healthcare

GBNEWS24 DESK//

Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations, has called for bringing migrants and their families under universal healthcare.

She made the call in her inaugural address at a high-level virtual event on healthcare for migrants during the Covid-19 period on Thursday.

The meeting was jointly organized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Portugal and Morocco Mission to the United Nations and the Friends of Migration Group. Note that Bangladesh is currently the co-chair of the Friends of Migration Group.

Citing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s call at the 31st special session of the UNGA for ensuring equal access for all to COVID-19 vaccines in the true spirit of UHC, Ambassador Fatima urged the global community to ensure the availability of affordable vaccines, medicines, and equipment for migrants in vulnerable situations.

She reiterated her call to the world community to ensure the availability and affordable vaccines, medicines, and equipment for vulnerable migrants.

She also called on the World Health Organization to strengthen the delivery of services to vulnerable migrants as an integral part of the global healthcare coverage.

Highlighting the dire consequences facing millions of migrants due to the pandemic she said that Bangladesh co-led a Joint Statement on the Impact of Covid-19 on Migrants in June 2020, which was eventually supported by 103 Member States.

Highlighting the importance of harnessing the development potential of migration, the Permanent Representative to the UN said that a healthy migrant is an active migrant. She urged IOM, IFRC, and WHO to share best practices and policies in this regard.

Ambassador Fatima also called for strong political will to combat the growing racism, racial hatred, and intolerance against immigrants to ensure their rights, welfare, and dignity everywhere.

The President of IFRC, Director General of IOM, among others, addressed the meeting.