The sixth Policy Actions for COVID-19 Economic Recovery (PACER) Dialogue on “Migration and Health: Implications of COVID-19 and achieving Universal Health Coverage” featured global good practice examples and policy options to address issues related to migration and mobility in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, including migrant-inclusive responses that can support the safe return to countries' economic and social functioning. Over 100 participants including government officials from Southeast Asia and the People’s Republic of China and representatives from international organizations participated in the Dialogue, sharing knowledge and country experiences and lessons on health, border and mobility management policies and measures taken to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate recovery.
The sixth PACER Dialogue aimed to:
- promote a better understanding of policy options in health, border and mobility management available for governments to mitigate COVID-19 impacts and recover in the aftermath of the crisis;
- disseminate global best practices and lessons on how to promote migrant-inclusive approaches including universal health coverage so countries could “bounce back better” from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- provide a platform for policy makers, development planners, and health practitioners to share knowledge and experience and collaboratively learn from each other.
POLICY BRIEF - Coming Out Stronger from COVID-19: Policy Options on Migrant Health and Immigration
Program and Learning Materials:
| Session/Activity | Presentation Material/s | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 6th PACER Dialogue – Overview and Objectives | Ramesh Subramaniam Director General, Southeast Asia Department (SERD), Asian Development Bank (ADB) | |
| Main Presentation | Migration and Health: Implications of COVID-19 and Achieving Universal Health Coverage |
Patrick Duigan, Regional Health Migration Advisor for Asia and the Pacific, International Organization for Migration-United Nations Migration |
| Panel of Experts Inputs/Reactions | National Health Security Office: Adapting to the New Normal |
Jadej Thammatcharee, Deputy Secretary General, National Health Security Office, Thailand |
| Panel of Experts Inputs/Reactions | Engaging Private Sector in COVID-19 Response |
Heather Canon, Vice President, Capacity Building, ELEVATE |
| Open Discussion and Questions | Ramesh Subramaniam (Moderator) | |
| Synthesis and Summary | Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General, SERD, ADB |