Developing a Migrant-Sensitive Health Service Delivery Model to Reach Miners in Upper Guinea

Elements of Innovation

• Awareness Raising and Communication
• Diversity, Gender and Inclusion
• Social Cohesion and Community Participation

What is the project about?

In Siguiri, Upper Guinea, artisanal gold extraction attracts high numbers of migrants from other parts of the country, and region more widely. This remote area is particularly vulnerable to communicable diseases, and communities often have limited access to basic social infrastructure, including health facilities. Focusing on remote mining areas in Siguiri, the initiative aims to establish a migrant-friendly health service model that bridges gaps between migrants and host communities in vulnerable regions.

Collaborating with Guinea's Ministry of Health, the project is developing a gender-sensitive health service model aligned with Guinea’s National Community Health Strategy. The project has additionally developed a comprehensive and gender-sensitive health package for communicable diseases for migrants and underserved groups. Efforts are also being directed towards enhancing community awareness and stakeholder comprehension of the newly inaugurated health service model. This is contributing towards improved disease detection and heightened accessibility to health services, ultimately countering the proliferation of communicable diseases.

How is the project innovative?

This project distinguishes itself through its focus on an often-overlooked group of migrants and local communities living in the remote mining zones of Siguiri. Focusing on the distinct challenges faced by these underserved populations, the project maximizes its impact and adaptability by ensuring that interventions are finely tuned to respond to the specific needs of these communities.

The project has also served as a powerful tool for advocacy. It effectively mobilized diverse stakeholders in the country to advocate for the expansion of the streamlined health care service model for migrants. This forward-thinking approach does not simply tackle immediate healthcare disparities; it has the potential to trigger broader systemic change, highlighting the project's innovative spirit in reshaping healthcare delivery in demanding circumstances.