TF MFCCH: Task force on migrant friendly and culturally competent healthcare

Funded by: WHO’s International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals & Health Services (HPH).

Coordinator: Antonio Chiarenza (Health Authority of Reggio Emilia).

Duration: 2012 – 2016.

Abstract: The Task Force on Migrant Friendly and Culturally Competent Health Care is established within the international HPH network with a specific mandate for coordination assigned to the HPH regional network of Emilia-Romagna (Italy) by the General Assembly and the Governance Board of the international HPH network. The provider is the Health Authority of Reggio Emilia, which is the coordinating institution of the regional HPH network of Emilia Romagna.

The Task Force was set up to continue the momentum created by the MFH project (2002-2005) which involved 12 European countries engaged in the development of models of good practice for promoting health and health literacy of migrants and improving hospital services for these patient groups in selected pilot hospitals. The idea of creating a Task Force originated from the desire to continue working on these themes in a comparative international context after the conclusion of the MFH project, and to build on this experience in order:

– To facilitate the diffusion of policies and experiences and stimulate new partnerships for future initiatives;

– To foster cooperation and alliances between health care organisations and other networks;

– To support member organisations in becoming migrant-friendly and culturally competent health care organisations, as recommended in the Amsterdam Declaration (2004).

The approach of the TF was informed by some initial considerations regarding the dynamics of the migration phenomenon in Europe. The new situation created the condition for a more differentiated composition of migrants in terms of origin, legal status, motivations and levels of integration. The resulting growth in diversity requires health systems that take into account the differences in the needs, beliefs and practices concerning health and health delivery. Migrants and minority groups often suffer from poorer health compared to that of the average population. In addition to being more vulnerable due to low socio-economic position, unclear legal status and problematic migration experiences, specific analyses show that migrants may face inequity in health care services because of the existence of formal and informal barriers. Therefore, in order to reduce disparities in health care it is necessary to improve access and quality of health care services for migrants and other vulnerable groups. Here, the role of the Task Force is to support member organisations in this process of developing policies, systems and competences for the provision and delivery of equitable and accessible health care services for migrants and other vulnerable groups.

More information: http://grupo.us.es/cespyd/CONTENIDOS/PROYECTOS/5.pdf