Migration and Health Security in the Mediterranean Space — Field Challenges and Prospects for Comprehensive Care

Abstract

The Mediterranean region is witnessing increasing migration flows in various forms (irregular migration, asylum, and economic migration), making it a key factor influencing regional health security. These flows exert growing pressure on the healthcare systems in destination countries in terms of resources capacity, particularly given the challenges of tracking migrants health status due to the lack of accurate data or official registration. At the same time, migrants themselves face fragile health conditions due to harsh travel circumstances, overcrowding, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare services, in addition to the spread of mental health issues resulting from trauma and instability. The risks of spreading certain infectious diseases may also increase in the context of inadequate care and prevention. As for the sending countries, they are indirectly affected through the emigration of medical professionals, which weakens their healthcare systems and increases their vulnerability. These challenges are further complicated by weak coordination among countries in the region and the overlap between health concerns and security and political considerations. Therefore, addressing this phenomenon requires adopting a comprehensive approach based on strengthening regional cooperation, improving health monitoring systems, and ensuring the integration of migrants into health policies, in a way that balances security requirements with the right to health for all.