Southeast Asian health system challenges and responses to the 'Andaman Sea refugee crisis': A qualitative study of health-sector perspectives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Helena Legido-Quigley,Natasha Howard,Fiona Leh Hoon Chuah,Kolitha Wickramage

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003143

Abstract

BackgroundSoutheast Asian countries host signficant numbers of forcibly displaced people. This study was conducted to examine how health systems in Southeast Asia have responded to the health system challenges of forced migration and refugee-related health including the health needs of populations affected by forced displacement; the health systems–level barriers and facilitators in addressing these needs; and the implications of existing health policies relating to forcibly displaced and refugee populations. This study aims to fill in the gap in knowledge by analysing how health systems are organised in Southeast Asia to address the health needs of forcibly displaced people.Methods and findingsWe conducted 30 semistructured interviews with health policy-makers, health service providers, and other experts working in the United Nations (n = 6), ministries and public health (n = 5), international (n = 9) and national civil society (n = 7), and academia (n = 3) based in Indonesia (n = 6), Malaysia (n = 10), Myanmar (n = 6), and Thailand (n = 8). Data were analysed thematically using deductive and inductive coding. Interviewees described the cumulative nature of health risks at each migratory phase. Perceived barriers to addressing migrants’ cumulative health needs were primarily financial, juridico-political, and sociocultural, whereas key facilitators were many health workers’ humanitarian stance and positive national commitment to pursuing universal health coverage (UHC). Across all countries, financial constraints were identified as the main challenges in addressing the comprehensive health needs of refugees and asylum seekers. Participants recommended regional and multisectoral approaches led by national governments, recognising refugee and asylum-seeker contributions, and promoting inclusion and livelihoods. Main study limitations included that we were not able to include migrant voices or those professionals not already interested in migrants.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is one of the first qualitative studies to investigate the health concerns and barriers to access among migrants experiencing forced displacement, particularly refugees and asylum seekers, in Southeast Asia. Findings provide practical new insights with implications for informing policy and practice. Overall, sociopolitical inclusion of forcibly displaced populations remains difficult in these four countries despite their significant contributions to host-country economies.

Highlights

In 2018, an unprecedented number of asylum seekers, refugees, and irregular migrants experiencing mass forced displacement due to civil conflict, persecution, human trafficking, and poverty were recorded globally [1]
This study was conducted to examine how health systems in Southeast Asia have responded to the health system challenges of forced migration and refugee-related health including the health needs of populations affected by forced displacement; the health systems–level barriers and facilitators in addressing these needs; and the implications of existing health policies relating to forcibly displaced and refugee populations
This study aims to fill in the gap in knowledge by analysing how health systems are organised in Southeast Asia to address the health needs of forcibly displaced people

Summary

Introduction

In 2018, an unprecedented number of asylum seekers, refugees, and irregular migrants experiencing mass forced displacement due to civil conflict, persecution, human trafficking, and poverty were recorded globally [1]. For populations affected by forced displacement, the health risks are generally much higher than for economic migrants, as they encounter threats throughout their migration journey and commonly experience protracted detainment and overcrowding, inadequate shelter, food insecurity, and poor water and sanitation [4,5,6]. When they arrive in countries of transit or temporary asylum, poor access to healthcare services is further compounded by a lack of social networks and assets to effectively navigate the health system.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion