Manila – ‘Mainstreaming Migrant Health Towards Boosting Universal Health Care’ was the theme of the third National Conference on Migrant Health (NCMH) held recently (16/11) in Quezon City, the Philippines.

Convened by the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Philippine Migrant Health Network (PMHN), this biennial conference gathered representatives from different DOH bureaus and agencies and other government agencies. The conference – also well attended by civil society, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, private sector and developmental partners – focused on pertinent issues affecting the health of migrants, Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and their families.

In her opening remarks, Maylene M. Beltran, Director of the Bureau of the International Health Cooperation recalled the history of the collaboration between the DOH and IOM on migrant health and highlighted the milestones that have been achieved throughout the years, such as the past two National Conferences, the creation of the PMHN, the first National Symposium on Migrant Health and the Philippine Migrant Health Research Agenda (PHIMHRA). The PHIMHRA aims to improve policy, plan and management systems in support to Migrant Health.

“Five years after the initial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between DOH and IOM, a lot has been achieved and accomplishments are still growing, all in spirit of multisector partnership and collaboration, under the paradigm of Health in All Policies and employment of Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approaches,” said Director Beltran.

Kristin Dadey, IOM Chief of Mission in the Philippines, stressed the importance of collaboration, in addressing the issues and concerns related to migrants, OFs and their families. She also lauded IOM’s commitment to support DOH and Filipino migrants on all aspects of migration.

Carmelita Nuqui, the President of the Philippine Migrant Rights Watch (PMRW) and co-Chair of the PMHN, urged all stakeholders and partners to ensure that the promotion and protection of the health of migrants resulted in no one being left behind.

Undersecretary of the DOH, Dr. Mario C. Villaverde delivered the keynote speech applauded the alignment of the theme of the conference with the Philippine Health Agenda and the FOURmula One Plus for Health or F1 Strategy, framing the implementation of critical health interventions into a single package backed up by effective management structures, financing agreements and accountability.

The conference also heard from Dr. Kolitha Wickramage from IOM’s Migration Health Division and Atty. Laser Blitz Sumagaysay of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who gave presentations on the current global and regional challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming migration and health including the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

During the conference, attendees and the PMHN members cast their vote for the logo of the PMHN. The chosen logo integrated the three design studies submitted by different members of the Network, symbolizing the group's oneness in the protection and promotion of the health of migrants and Filipinos overseas through the collective efforts of different stakeholders.

Dr. Villaverde, along with Ms. Dadey and Ms. Nuqui, inaugurated the chosen PMHN logo and the PHIMHRA.

For more information, please contact Dr. Predrag Bajcevic, IOM Philippines, Tel: +63 2 883 9340, Email: pbajcevic@iom.int