In support of migrant workers’ health
MIGRATION and integration into indigenous communities has resulted in a culturally diverse SouthEast Asia. Supporting a coordinated approach to advocating the International Organization for Migration policies on migrant workers’ human rights as well as the United Nations’ Global Compact for Migration and Sustainable Development Goals is the Migrant Workers Health Congress (MigWHealth) organised by Management and Science University (MSU) with the North South Initiative.
Themed “Towards Equitable Health Accessibility Initiatives”, MigWHealth seeks to raise more than awareness of the state of migrant workers’ health. Its objectives include channelling research into migrant workers’ health, building capabilities and opportunities for such research and increasing collaborations with Health Equity Initiatives and NGOs to study migrant workers’ health.
In welcoming participants to MigWHealth 2018, MSU president Prof Tan Sri Datuk Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid said, “UN statistics show that one in every 30 people is a migrant and that the current 258 million migrants approximate to 3.5% of the world population. Sixty million are forcibly displaced.
“Migration is a human phenomenon, a global issue and an area to which we can contribute our perspective through the research ecosystem at MSU.
“Our effort in hosting MigWHealth 2018 is a manifestation of our aspiration to be a leading transformative global university, engaging the society as a caring institution, delivering relevant translational research and a holistic education to create a better future for all.”
MSU MigWHealth 2018 presented six tracts encompassing Wellness and Quality of Life, Health Management and Accessibility, Mental Health and Work-Related Life Stress, Communicable Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases, Women’s and Children’s Health and Migrant Health Education.
Its launch at the MSU Performing Arts Theatre saw health clinics provided for migrants as well as visitors, supported by the MSU Medical and Health Sciences cluster comprising MSU International Medical School, MSU School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and MSU Medical Centre.
Launched in conjunction with the MigWHealth Congress 2018 was the Diversity and Ethno-Cultural Film Fest (DEFF) Project, a video documentary competition open to Asean university students.
Adapted from the Freedom Film Fest Network, the DEFF Project is an MSU Knowledge Transfer Programme promoting a caring institution, ensuring equal opportunities for advancement in life irrespective of socio-economic standing, and highlighting the uniqueness of the Asean community.
Established as a flagship Asean community engagement programme, the MSU DEFF Project aims to identify social justice gaps and highlight issues among communities marginalised by harnessing the power of media exposure to aid the plight of minority migrants. Winning entries from the DEFF Project will be screened at the next MigWHealth Congress in December 2019.
In developing a knowledge database and establishing a research reference point for Asean collaborators and research into migrant workers’ health, MigWHealth also seeks to maximise research capacity by preventing overlaps.
Scientifically and ethically collected data on migrant workers’ health will be peer-reviewed for validation through research articles bound for ISI and Scopusindexed journals.
The programme by MSU Research Management Centre counted as co-organisers the International Relief and Development Inc. Blumont USA, United Nations University – International Institute of Global Health, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Universitas Airlangga and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
MigWHealth 2018’s sponsors were MSU Foundation, MSU Eye Centre, MSU Medical Centre, International Vision and Eyecare Alliance and Alcon Novartis.
Steeped in a culture of research, innovation and social entrepreneurship, the technology-driven MSU comprises the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies, Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering, International Medical School, School of Pharmacy, School of Education and Social Sciences, School of Hospitality and Creative Arts, Postgraduate Centre and Centre for Fundamental Studies.
■ For details on the programmes offered at MSU, call 03-5521 6868, e-mail enquiry@msu.edu.my or visit www.msu.edu.my