The
challenge of establishing a migrant sensitive, rights-based approach to
tuberculosis screening in Sri Lanka
Abstract
Limited attention has been made by countries of ‘new immigration’
to define an immigration medical examination requirement of inbound migrant
flows. Importation of TB through inbound migration routes have been a largely
neglected strategy in TB control in Sri Lanka despite increasing migrant flows
from endemic regions. We contend that establishing a health assessment for
those long stay resident visa applicants to Sri Lanka may be useful in
mitigating the spread of TB. However the approach should harness a ‘rights
based’ approach to health assessment, and also be linked to the national health
system. In this way the assessment becomes a vital mechanism for global public
health good rather than be perceived as a tool for discrimination or
immigration control. Migrants need to be included in national and global TB
control strategies, especially since mobility is a key feature of the post-2015
MDG agenda.
Key words: Migrants, tuberculosis screening, health policy