The fourth in a series of workshops for healthcare professionals who are providing direct support to migrants and refugees in BiH took place in Sarajevo today. The objective of the workshop, organized within the project Improving Health Care and Protection of Persons of Interest for UNHCR in Una-Sana Canton and supported by the Government of Switzerland and implemented in collaboration with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), is to strengthen the capacity of the health system and improve cultural sensitivity and stress management techniques of health professionals working with migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees in BiH.
“The strengthening of cultural sensitivity in providing services to the most vulnerable categories has certainly become one of the important elements for providing better service in the health system, especially in recognizing stress and stress management. It is very important that we recognize and support this category of people and we should not forget the fact that we, not too long ago, were in a similar position and received support from others“, said Dr. Goran Cerkez, Assistant Federal Minister of Health for International Cooperation and Coordination of Strategy Development.
Since the onset of the mixed movement of refugees and migrants in BiH, UNHCR and DRC have continually highlighted the pressure and strain that the medical teams of Primary Health Centres have been facing in the local communities, as a result of a steadily increasing numberof asylum seekers and migrants staying longer. In line with international conventions and domestic law, people seeking asylum in BiH are entitled, among other things, to access to health care.
Mr. Patrick Egli, Deputy Head of Cooperation in the Embassy of Switzerland in BiH emphasized excellent cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Health, UNHCR and DRC in this project, But, most of all, Mr. Egli thanked the participants of the workshop – health care workers , who carry most of the burden in dealing with migrants and asylum-seekers in BiH.
“You are in the field and endure the burden of health care towards migrants and refugees. There are two things you need to keep in mind and this will be addressed in this workshop. First, which is important is cultural sensibility, to know how to approach people who are in need of health care services. Many of them have gone through many traumatic experiences and sometimes will not be able to respond in a rational way. And since such a huge burden is on you, health care workers need to take care of their own capacities and resources. It is important that you know how to handle situations such as this.” Egli added.
In 2018, UNHCR, in cooperation with DRC, worked with the competent authorities, especially in the Una-Sana Canton, helping them to establish a system of support to local health institutions to cope as effectively as possible with the challenges posed by the increased influx.
“We first discussed this workshop about a year ago – because we were looking for ways to support health care professionals who are working with asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the areas most affected by the mixed movement flow in BiH. Due to our mandate – protecting those forced to flee – and to uphold the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees, UNHCR views access to health care as part of the essential work of protecting asylum seekers and refugees This is globally, and in our work to support asylum seekers in BiH.” Said Stephanie Woldenberg, Head of Protection Unit at UNHCR in BiH.
In November/December 2019, four workshops, involving almost 90 medical professionals were held in Una Sana Canton and Sarajevo, where most of the persons is in need are concentrated, as well as in temporary reception centers and asylum-seeker centers. Similar workshop will take place in in Mostar 10th of December.
These activities are part of UNHCR/DRC continuing contribution to the improvement of medical services for migrants and asylum seekers and local hosting communities in BiH, but are also focused on improving the working conditions of medical teams directly involved in the provision of services that will benefit both asylum seekers and the local population.
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