IOM, the UN Migration Agency, last week (14-17/11) organized training sessions in Tanzania, for IOM, non-IOM and private panel physicians who conduct physical exams and health assessments for resettlement countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

These training sessions are organized in different regions throughout the world every year with the objective of providing technical support to health professionals. This year’s training was organized in Dar es Salaam for more than 80 IOM and private panel physicians and nurses who conduct health assessments for refugees and migrants throughout the sub-Saharan Africa region. 

The sessions conducted by IOM’s Migration Health Division (MHD) include the revision of technical instructions to enhance the quality of overseas medical exams as well as their integrity and anti-fraud measures. The goal is to improve the quality of medical care provided to refugees destined for resettlement both prior to their departure and upon arrival.

“This year’s training has two new components: the collaboration with the University of Minnesota and with partners at the Minnesota Health Department who have vast experience in refugee health in the United States,” said Dr. Qasim Sufi, IOM Tanzania Chief of Mission in his opening remarks. “Additionally, the current year's session has a component designated for migration health nurses who are the backbone of the migration health assessments process,” he added.

The nurses who attended the training were selected from the pool of IOM expert nurses, and they will collaborate with resettlement partners in developing a specific training for nurses involved in overseas exams.

The two previous trainings were organized in Geneva and Manila to enable participation of physicians in Europe and Asia who are unable to attend the annual International Panel Physician Association (IPPA).

In addition to the traditional resettlement partners such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, this training was attended by colleagues from the University of Minnesota and refugee resettlement health partners from the state of Minnesota that will support panel physicians in Africa with continued learning to improve their clinical skills on health conditions such as splenomegaly, sickle cell disease and mental health conditions, which are prevalent among resettlement populations going to the United States from Africa.

For more information, please contact IOM Kenya:

Dr. Marwan Naoum, Tel: +254 700638331, Email: nmarwan2@iom.int

Dr. Vasil Gajdadziev, Tel: +254204444167, Email: vgajdadziev@iom.int