A tool to better understand the health needs of migrant populations

The international MENA Migrant Health project, coordinated by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) with support from ”la Caixa” Foundation, has concluded after developing a tool to improve the collection and use of information on migrant health in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The initiative has combined scientific research, training through an international doctoral programme, community participation and collaboration with health institutions to help shape policies and services that better respond to the needs of these populations.

A tool to improve health data and policies

The lack of epidemiological data on migrant populations makes it difficult to understand their health needs and design appropriate responses. To address this challenge, the project has developed the Migrant Health Country Profile Tool (MHCP-t), a digital tool that makes it possible to assess available health data, policy and legal frameworks, and migrants’ access to healthcare services. It covers areas ranging from infectious disease surveillance to maternal and neonatal health, chronic diseases and mental health. Its aim is to identify gaps and help guide the development of more inclusive health policies and services.

Developed on the basis of scientific evidence and consultations with experts and local stakeholders, the tool was adapted and piloted in Morocco and Tunisia. The involvement of civil society organisations and migrant communities also helped identify barriers to healthcare access related to language, administrative procedures, costs and a lack of information.

Implementation could not be completed in all the countries originally planned due to the conflict in Sudan and regional instability. However, the possibility of adapting and implementing the tool in other regions, including Thailand, is now being explored. An agreement has been established with the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Disease Control to translate and adapt the tool to the national context. Potential applications in Malaysia and Sri Lanka have also been explored.

Participatory research and national collaboration

The development of the MHCP-t combined reviews of the scientific literature, qualitative research with migrant communities and healthcare professionals, and consultations with experts. This process helped define indicators based on both scientific evidence and needs identified on the ground.

To support the tool’s continued use, the final versions were hosted on local servers and national coordination structures were established. In Tunisia, a thematic group on health and migration was set up under the coordination of the Office National de la Famille et de la Population. In Morocco, a monitoring committee was established under the coordination of the École Nationale de Santé Publique. These structures bring together key stakeholders and lay the foundations for continuing the work beyond the project.

Advancing doctoral training

Doctoral training has been one of the key pillars of MENA Migrant Health. Four researchers have completed their PhD theses as part of the project through cotutelle agreements between universities. A fifth researcher is expected to complete their doctorate during the 2026–2027 academic year, while a sixth continues their doctoral studies at a Moroccan university.

The programme has helped build research capacity in global health and strengthen international academic collaboration, alongside the scientific work and institutional cooperation fostered by the project.