Policy trajectories and contextual drivers to support the inclusion of refugees into national health systems: Policy brief 1

Abstract

This brief is based on a research programme funded by UNHCR exploring the effectiveness and impact of different approaches to refugee access to healthcare in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs), and in particular those approaches that support the inclusion of refugees into national health systems. It draws from a review of existing evidence, six country case studies (Peru, Kenya, Zambia, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), Mauritania, Pakistan) and an overall synthesis of the findings.

This Brief No.1 looks at policy trajectories and contextual drivers that favour integration. Health systems integration refers here to the process of supporting national health systems to facilitate inclusion of refugees and their access to healthcare through national systems. This involves change in policies and programmes that foster sustainable and equitable access to healthcare for all refugees and host communities (United Nations (2018) Global Compact on Refugees (GCR)). The research analysed the trajectory towards integration, with an emphasis on understanding contextual features that influenced the speed and effectiveness of integration, as well as enablers and barriers to achieve it.