Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 and #MigrantsDay with @DrTedros pscp.tv/w/cquAMzI2MTAy…

"Today is International #MigrantsDay, and I am delighted to be joined by António Vitorino, @IOMchief.

@UNmigration is our next-door neighbour here in Geneva, and our close partner"-@DrTedros

"In recent years, we have witnessed the largest population movements and displacement since the end of the Second World War.

Too often, migrants and their families remain outsiders in their adopted communities, even years after migrating"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"They face discrimination, social exclusion and lack of access to health services.

And yet migrants make enormous contributions to our societies, with new ideas that drive economic and social innovation"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"That is also true in the #COVID19 response.
It was Turkish migrants to 🇩🇪 who founded the company that developed the 1st COVID-19 vaccine to be approved & rolled out.
And it was a nurse from the 🇵🇭 who administered the 1st dose of that vaccine in the 🇬🇧"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"All around the world, many #healthworkers are migrants, especially women, who account for 70% of the global health workforce"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"When the World Health Assembly designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse & Midwife, none of us had any idea how much we would rely on nurses, midwives & other #healthworkers to keep us safe in the face of a global pandemic"-@DrTedros #SupportNursesAndMidwives

"We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the nurses and midwives who are often the first and only health professionals present to treat and comfort the sick and dying and bring new life into the world"-@DrTedros #ThanksHealthHeroes

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1339982723100893188?s=20

"Together with @womeninGH, @ICNurses, @world_midwives, @UNFPA and @NursingNow2020, we yesterday launched a list of 100 outstanding women nurses and midwives from around the world who have made an exceptional contribution to nursing and midwifery"-@DrTedros

"They represent millions of nurses and midwives who use their knowledge and expertise on a daily basis to protect the health and lives of others, at times putting themselves in harm's way to do so"-@DrTedros #SupportNursesAndMidwives

"To better understand the impacts of #COVID19 in refugee & migrant populations, WHO and a research consortium led by @ResearchUGent & the University of Copenhagen, has conducted a global survey called ‘ApartTogether’"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1295996101334630400?s=20

"The survey was supported by several partners & included almost 30 thousand migrants & refugees in almost all WHO Member States.
It shows that people living on the streets & in asylum centers are less likely to seek care if they have symptoms of #COVID19"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"Of those who reported not seeking healthcare, 35% said it was because of financial constraints, and a further 22% said it was fear of deportation.

More than half of those surveyed said that #COVID19 has caused them depression, worry, anxiety & loneliness"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"These findings paint a bleak picture, but they also point the way forward.

There are several measures countries can take to include refugees and migrants in response plans and public health measures"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"Access to care must not be linked to legal status.
Improving internet access for migrants is also important for improving access to information.
We call on all countries to remove 💰 & other barriers to care for migrants, as part of their journey towards #HealthForAll"-@DrTedros

"#HealthForAll means all, including migrants.

That means increasing investments in health, especially in primary health care, to create health systems that are sensitive to migrants’ needs, their languages, and their health problems"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"These include reproductive & child health, mental health, trauma from injuries, violence & sexual abuse & assault.

Investing in the health of migrants is not just the right thing to do, it also has long-term benefits for social cohesion & economic development"-@DrTedros

"Exclusion is costly in the long run, but inclusion pays off for everyone.

It’s also vital that migrants and refugees are included in plans for the rollout of vaccines against #COVID19"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay

"As you know, the @ACTAccelerator, which includes the COVAX Facility, was established to ensure access to vaccines for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people – many of whom are migrants"-@DrTedros #MigrantsDay #ACTogether

"Earlier today, WHO and our COVAX partners @gavi, @CEPIvaccines and @UNICEF announced that we have secured agreements to access 2 billion doses of several promising #COVID19 vaccine candidates"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1339965611376582659?s=20

"I would like to thank #Canada and Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau for committing to share surplus doses of #COVID19 vaccines"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"These unprecedented agreements mean that all 190 countries and economies participating in COVAX will be able to access vaccines to protect vulnerable groups in their populations during the first half of next year"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether

"This week I have spoken with CEOs of pharmaceutical companies, and met with @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen and @eucopresident @CharlesMichel in Brussels, to ensure that we start vaccination as soon as possible in the new year"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"WHO & COVAX partners are working non-stop to start vaccination as soon as possible in 2021. WHO remains committed to working closely with @UNmigration & many other partners to support countries in improving the health of migrants, during #COVID19, & after it is over"-@DrTedros