Vietnamese guest workers returning from Lybia arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – A migrant health handbook, which
provides basic information, advice and guidance for health needs of migrant
workers, was introduced at a workshop held by the General Office for Population
and Family Planning () in collaboration with the International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Vietnam in Hanoi on July 18.
Addressing the event, GOPFP Director General Nguyen Doan Tu said migration is a global phenomenon, with around 281 million international
migrants worldwide; 48% of whom were women and 60% were .
Vietnam’s population has reached 98 million, ranking 15th globally, eighth in Asia and third in ASEAN, Tu said. The country’s working-age
population, aged 15 – 64, is estimated at some 66.6 million, or 68% of the
total, he noted, adding that though such a large workforce brings various
opportunities for Vietnam’s socio-economic development, it has profound impacts
on migration flows in the country.
He described migrants as a vulnerable group of people,
noting that migrants, particularly international ones, often face numerous
challenges in the host destinations when it comes to languages, culture,
lifestyle, legal knowledge, family separation and others.
Lack of access to medical services also affects their lives,
physical and mental health, according to Tu. Healthy migrants can be crucial
workforce for the well-being of businesses and the economy as a whole, he said.
The was initiated by a technical
group for migrant health in Vietnam established by the Ministry of Health. It was
developed with advice from specialists from the Republic of Korea and Japan
with the support from the IOM in Vietnam.
The Question & Answer handbook offers fundamental
knowledge on Vietnam’s health system; social security and health
insurances; as well as advice and guidance on occupational safety; prevention
of communicable diseases; reproductive health; mental health; building a
healthy lifestyle; support and protection of oversea migrants; and others.
The digital version of the handbook will be released in the
coming time and constantly updated to stay relevant with Vietnam’s changing
situation.
A similar handbook for Vietnamese migrants living in different
foreign countries will also be developed.
Mihyung Park, Chief of Mission at IOM Vietnam, highly spoke
of the country’s efforts in ensuring the well-being of Vietnamese migrants
overseas at the time of COVID-19. IOM has discussed with concerned parties in
Japan and the RoK about establishing a platform for cooperation in protecting
health of Vietnamese migrants and feedback has been positive.
About 600,000 Vietnamese migrants are living and working in
more than 40 countries and territories worldwide. Remittance to Vietnam was
estimated at around 3 – 4 billion USD annually./.
Source: VietnamPlus
