WHO Reports 60+ Countries Now Include Refugees in National Health Systems

What Did the WHO Find About Refugee Health Inclusion?

The World Health Organization has released new findings showing a marked improvement in how countries address the health needs of refugees and migrants. According to the organization, more than 60 countries — representing roughly two thirds of those surveyed — have taken steps to include displaced populations within their national health systems. This encompasses access to primary care, vaccination programs, maternal health services, and mental health support.

This progress is particularly significant given the scale of global displacement. UNHCR estimates that over 120 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced as of mid-2024, a figure that has risen steadily over the past decade. Historically, refugees and migrants have faced substantial barriers to healthcare access, including legal restrictions, language barriers, discrimination, and lack of documentation. The WHO's findings suggest a policy-level shift toward recognizing health as a universal right rather than one contingent on citizenship status.

Why Is Including Migrants in National Health Systems Important?

Excluding refugees and migrants from national health systems creates significant public health risks for entire populations. When displaced individuals cannot access routine care, preventable conditions go untreated, vaccination coverage drops, and communicable diseases can spread unchecked across communities. WHO has long emphasized that health systems that leave out mobile populations are weaker systems overall — infectious diseases do not recognize borders or immigration status.

There is also a strong economic argument for inclusion. Research published in The Lancet has shown that providing primary and preventive care to displaced populations is substantially more cost-effective than relying on emergency department visits and crisis-driven interventions. Countries that integrate migrants into existing health infrastructure often see reduced strain on emergency services and better continuity of care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and tuberculosis. Mental health services are especially critical, as displaced populations face elevated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety stemming from conflict exposure, displacement trauma, and resettlement challenges.

What Challenges Remain for Global Refugee Health Equity?

While the WHO's findings represent genuine progress, substantial challenges remain. Having a policy on paper does not always translate into effective access on the ground. Many countries that formally include refugees in health systems still struggle with implementation — healthcare workers may be unaware of entitlements, administrative barriers persist, and facilities in areas with large displaced populations are often under-resourced. Language barriers and cultural differences can further limit the effectiveness of inclusive policies.

Funding remains a critical bottleneck. Health services for displaced populations are frequently dependent on short-term humanitarian funding rather than sustainable domestic health budgets. WHO and partner organizations have called for greater integration of refugee health financing into national budgets to ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, data collection on migrant health outcomes remains weak in many regions, making it difficult to track whether inclusive policies actually improve health indicators. Strengthening health information systems to disaggregate data by migration status is a key recommendation from the WHO for the coming years.