As the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, IOM is committed and has been conducting training and capacity building in specific areas of Migration and Health by developing a tailored approach that takes into account the specific needs of the migrants and the receiving country.

Training and capacity building on Migration and Health primarily refers to the training of health professionals, social workers, and immigration officers or other border officials with the aim of increasing awareness of migration health issues and supporting professionals in carrying out their tasks in a professional, efficient and ethical way for the benefit of migrants.

Comprehensive modules have been developed to provide in-depth training on several thematic areas, such as public health and migration, communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health and psychosocial support as well as cultural competence and intercultural communication. The training packages are backed by a core group of specialists and professionals with substantial technical expertise in different fields and who have contributed to the design and development of its content.

In addition, guidelines for border management and detention procedures involving migrants have also been established to offer guidance and expertise to governments aspiring to improve their migration and border management and operational procedures.

Cultural mediation in health care also represents an important aspect of IOM’s training activities. Health mediation meets the need for a culturally sensitive approach, by improving access and quality care delivered by improving communication between professionals and migrants.

Training is a core element of IOM's capacity-building work and is often integral to projects of the IOM Migration Health Division and supported by key partners such as the European Commission and EU Member States.

Methodology and Training Programmes

The principal objective of the training on migration and health is to improve the knowledge of participants on the public health implications of migration and strengthen the responsiveness of health services to migrants’ needs. IOM’s approach considers migrants’ specific needs, as well as reducing knowledge gaps of different categories of professionals on their needed additional knowledge concerning migrant-related health care and mediation.

IOM’s methodology approach considers contributing to a successful learning and integration process through interactive, meaningful learning experience, adapted to the local context and to the specific needs of the target participants.

The training sessions are organized in a multidisciplinary based composition and/or focused on a specific target group and taking into account the working commitments of the attending professionals. The sessions are designed to allow participants to explore several important concepts related to migration and health with the guidance of a pedagogical team with technical expertise on different areas. A strong attention is also given to role-playing and exchange of practical experiences in order to reinforce the learning exercise.

Main didactic modules

Training packages cover a variety of relevant thematic areas on migration health and migrant access to healthcare, including these main modules:

Module on Migration and Health

Public Health and Migration/Communication and Mass Media
Migration and Health
Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
First Aid

Module on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of Migration
Occupational Health and Psychosocial Support
Coping with Grief
Working with vulnerable groups

Module on Intercultural Competence

Cultural Competence and Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Mediation in Health Care

Among these main thematic areas, several important concepts are considered such as victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, sexual and reproductive health & gender-based violence as well as maternal health.

Primary beneficiaries

Participants in IOM migration and health training programmes include health professionals, law enforcement officers or other border officials, social workers, health mediators as well as public officials (senior and line management).