Session Programme

Parallel session

Tuesday, 20 April 2010

Session PS01/room 14

Migrant Access to Health in Switzerland: From Policy to Practice

Chairs: Sophie Durieux-Paillard, MD MPH, Migrant Health Centre, Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland

As in many western countries, the health status of migrants living in Switzerland is often poorer than that of the native population. This is particularly true for migrants living in precarious conditions, due to stressful circumstances before or during migration, exhausting working conditions, discrimination, as well as communication and cultural barriers. Additionally, in many Swiss cantons, undocumented migrants encounter obstacles to accessing care that are related to differing health policies from one canton to another. This session offers case studies and policy views from various actors in the field of migrant health in Switzerland. It also aims at providing an opportunity for ample discussion and sharing of experiences by the session audience on issues such as access to care for vulnerable groups and cultural competences of health professionals.

Migration and Health Strategy in Switzerland: Achievements and Perspectives on Improving Access to Health for Migrants

Serge Houmard, MPA, Political Scientist, Deputy Head of Section, National Program Migration and Health, Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland

Access to Care for Migrants: Examples from Various Swiss Cantons

Kirsten Almeida, Registered Nurse and Political Scientist, Responsible for National Projects, Médecins du Monde, Switzerland

Access to Care for Vulnerable Immigrants in Swiss Cantons: Today and Tomorrow

Yves Jackson, Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland

Improving Access to Health through Transcultural Competence: Impact of Training Healthcare Professionals

Anke Kayser, Social Anthropologist, Swiss Red Cross, Switzerland