Vietnam and IOM ink MoU to promote migrant health

Approximately 155,000 Vietnamese citizens secured employment overseas in 2023.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance the promotion of migrant health and well-being, along with their inclusion in national health systems.

The MoU builds on over 45 years of collaboration, encompassing key areas such as assessment programmes and public health initiatives aimed at improving service access, cross-border disease control, and emergency response.

According to the IOM, about 155,000 Vietnamese citizens secured jobs overseas in 2023, with nearly a third of the new workers entering the labour market.

Meanwhile, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) poses additional challenges for migrants, such as language difficulties, discrimination, financial constraints, and the absence of portable health insurance and cross-border referral mechanisms.