The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to include the needs of refugees and migrants in their health policies, noting a major shift in how nations are responding to their needs.

WHO, in a statement, welcomed the progress made and urged governments, partners and donors to accelerate progress by embedding refugees and migrants in all national health policies, strategies and plans.

The UN health agency reports a major shift in how countries are responding to the health needs of refugees and migrants, with new data showing more than 60 countries – two thirds of those surveyed – now include them in their national health policies and laws.

The new “World report on promoting the health and refugees and migrants monitoring progress on the WHO global action plan” shows that countries are relying on evidence.

It shows that even in politically sensitive contexts, countries are increasingly relying on evidence, data, science, and established norms and standards to guide how migration and health are addressed within national health systems.

Case studies from all six WHO regions illustrate how progress can be achieved in practice – from expanded migrant health insurance coverage in Thailand, to the use of cross-cultural communication mediators in Belgium, and the inclusion of migrant community representatives in decision-making on primary health care delivery in Chile.

Drawing on data from 93 Member States, the report establishes the first global baseline for tracking progress toward inclusive, migrant-responsive health systems.

The UN agency stated that human migration had been a defining feature of that shared history, driving cultural, social and economic developments across generations.

“Today, over one billion people – over 1 in 8 globally – live as refugees or migrants.

“Reasons for moving range from conflict and disasters, to economic opportunity, education or family needs.

“Yet many refugees and migrants face barriers to accessing care, heightened risks of infectious and chronic diseases, mental-health challenges, and unsafe living or working conditions.”

Commenting on the report, WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said:“ refugees and migrants are not just recipients of care, they are also health workers, caregivers and community leaders.

“Health systems are only truly universal when they serve everyone. WHO’s new report on the health of migrants and refugees shows that inclusion benefits whole societies and strengthens preparedness for future health challenges.”

WHO noted that investment in refugee and migrant health deliver far-reaching dividends and they support better social and economic integration, strengthen the resilience of health systems and reinforce global health security.

“Inclusive, migrant-responsive health systems also reduce long-term costs by enabling healthy, well-integrated populations to contribute fully to the societies in which they live.”

The UN agency stated that in spite of progress, the report highlighted persisting gaps as only 37 per cent of responding countries routinely collect, analyze and disseminate migration-related health data as part of national health information systems.

It noted that just 42 per cent included refugees and migrants in emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction or response plans, while fewer than 40 per cent report training health workers in culturally responsive care for refugees and migrants.

It further noted that only 30 per cent had implemented communication campaigns to counter misperceptions and discrimination related to refugee and migrant health.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on all stakeholders to ensure the protection of displaced children and women sheltering in Gombe camp from abuse and being trafficked.

Dr Joseph Wanshe, the Gombe State Coordinator of the commission, made the appeal in an interview in Gombe on Thursday in Gombe.

Following the attack by bandits on Gwana, Digare, Mansur, and Yalo villages of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, over 7,000 persons were displaced and were now sheltering in Kashere town in Gombe State.

“Nearly 4,000 of the number are children, representing about 57 per cent of the total displaced persons at the camp.

“Therefore, collective action is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in the camp,” the coordinator said.

Wanshe said children were most vulnerable and were exposed to the risk of rights violation, trafficking, sexual abuse, lack of access to education, and molestation.

He stressed the need for stakeholders to work together to prevent the violation of the rights of children and women, while ensuring their welfare and dignity were prioritised.

“These children are vulnerable to abuse, trafficking, violence, and malnutrition, based on the report we have gathered when we visited.

“The women and children are faced with the risk of sexual abuse, child molestation, forced labour, poor sanitation, which exposes them to infectious diseases, poor medical facilities, and poor feeding, which exposes them to malnutrition,” he said.

According to him, there is a need to increase facilities, especially toilets, to curb open defecation and prevent disease outbreaks, which could affect children’s health adversely.

“Also, women need separate facilities for their privacy, especially when bathing and sleeping, and when some of these are put in place, they would reduce their vulnerability to abuse.

“We observed that the vulnerability of children to abuse of any kind is very high, and that’s why there is a need to work collectively to tackle the nutritional crisis and epidemic risk,” he said.

Wanshe said his commission had been engaging critical stakeholders and strictly monitoring events at the camp to ensure the protection of the rights of all displaced persons, particularly children and women.

He urged residents at the camp and members of the host community to always report human rights violations, adding that such reporting was necessary in the fight against sexual abuse and other vices against children.

The coordinator commended the governments of Gombe and Bauchi States for their constant support, which he said was timely.

“To UNICEF, thank you for carrying out lots of health, education, and hygiene-focused interventions towards protecting the welfare and well-being of children in the camp,” he added.

The Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has clarified its mandate on public and environmental health regulations in the nation’s capital.

The clarification is contained in a statement obtained from Idris Suleiman, a legal officer of the FCTA attached to the Public Health Department.

Idris said the clarification became necessary following recent concerns over compliance with public and environmental health regulations by some stakeholders.

Recall that members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT chapter, on March 18 staged a protest at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court, alleging multiple taxation.

The association accused the FCTA Public Health Department and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of imposing overlapping charges on private schools.

NAPPS, through its lawyer, Alexander Ogboo, had called on both authorities to harmonise their roles and clarify which agency was responsible for collecting such levies.

Responding, Idris stated that the Public Health Department of the FCTA is statutorily mandated to oversee and implement public and environmental health services across the FCT.

He explained that, in line with this responsibility, demand notices were issued to regulated premises, including private schools.

These notices were to facilitate services such as premises inspection, certification of fitness for use or continued use, as well as public health pest control and disinfection.

“It has come to our attention that some schools operating under the platform of NAPPS, AMAC chapter, have declined to comply with these notices.

“Their position, as conveyed by a representative, indicates a preference to engage solely with AMAC authorities on matters relating to public health services.

“For the avoidance of doubt, a subsisting judgment of the FCT High Court has affirmed that area councils, including AMAC, do not possess the legal authority to carry out key public and environmental health functions.

“Such functions include premises inspection, certification for habitation, and monitoring of continued use of facilities.

“These responsibilities fall squarely within the mandate of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat,” he said.

Idris added that the department had made several efforts to engage NAPPS leadership, including convening meetings to address the legal and public health implications of the matter.

He, however, noted that follow-up meetings scheduled by the department were not honoured, in spite of initial assurances from the association.

He emphasised that the issue was not one of multiple taxation but compliance with public health regulations aimed at safeguarding residents, especially school children.

According to him, non-compliance undermines disease prevention efforts and poses risks of infectious disease outbreaks within the FCT.

Idris advised private school proprietors and operators of regulated premises to comply with directives and demand notices issued by the secretariat.

He added that the FCTA remained committed to dialogue, collaboration, and enforcement of standards to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

He warned that the administration would not hesitate to take necessary legal and administrative actions to ensure compliance with its statutory mandate.