One in seven people globally is a migrant, refugee or an internally displaced person. With countries across South-East Asia Region host to large migrant populations, the World Health Organisation yesterday called for focused attention to address their health needs.

"Disease is universal and transcends borders and nation states. As health leaders we must tackle the health problems that affect migrant populations. We need to construct better information systems to collect data on the health issues of migrants; institute policy and legal frameworks that facilitate greater health care access; and create inclusive health systems sensitive to the needs of migrants," Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, said in a statement.

Health and migration are key concerns across the Region, with Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia named among the top 10 countries witnessing large movements of people. Migration poses greater risk and vulnerability to infectious diseases, mental health disorders, maternal and neonatal mortality, substance use, alcoholism, malnutrition, violence and noncommunicable diseases.

At the WHO Regional Committee meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which ends today, member countries have been sharing experiences in addressing this growing regional issue, including the potential of infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance spread.