Strengthening International Migrants’ Access to Health Services in the Republic of Moldova

  • Start Date
    2023
  • End Date
    2025
  • Project Status
    Active
  • Project Type
    Health Promotion and Assist for Migrants
  • Budget Amount (USD)
    300000.00
  • Coverage
    National
  • Year
    2022
  • IDF Region
    Europe
  • Prima ID
    MD10P0531
  • Projects ID
    MA.0537
  • Benefiting Member States
    Republic of Moldova
Until recently the Republic of Moldova has been a major country of origin of migrant workers heading towards European Union (EU) countries, and there has only been a comparable small group of international migrants residing in the country, with an even smaller group of people in irregular situations and stateless persons. Since 24 February 2022, this situation has been changing drastically, with many Ukrainians displaced and now are residing in the territory of the Republic of Moldova. So far, little attention has been paid to the health dimensions of migration for foreign nationals. Foreigners who have work permits are covered by the Moldovan National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and all people with a regular stay can apply for the NHIS. Formally Moldovan legislation contains no restriction on the rights and opportunities of foreigners residing on the territory, except their political rights. At the same time, de facto, foreigners do not have equal access to health services as nationals, such as access to long-term treatment against tuberculosis or cancer. Another gap exists for irregular migrants, stateless persons and asylum seekers, several thousand persons in total, as they cannot access the NHIC and hence face difficulties in accessing health services. At the same time, Universal Health Coverage is a key aim of the 2030 SDGs, based on the principle that everyone and everywhere has access to quality essential health services. This is also in line with perquisites for an EU membership, which the Republic of Moldova is aspiring. Therefore, the proposed project aims to support the government in achieving Universal Health Coverage for international migrants, including irregular migrants, stateless persons and asylum seekers, on its territory. This is to be achieved through three components: 1) a feasibility study will be conducted to enhance understanding of migrants’ access to health services in practices, 2) a gender-sensitive and sustainable mechanism for the possible full integration of migrants into the National Health Insurance System will be developed, and 3) capacity-building activities for policymakers, health service providers and other relevant stakeholders, to ensure migrant-inclusive and gender-sensitive health service provision.