Location: Russian Federation - Moscow

Situation:

The Russian Federation continues its economic development. But the number of people left behind is huge. In Moscow, migrant workers have very limited access to healthcare. Much the same as the 225,000  indigenous peoples of the Great North who suffer as a result of  geographical isolation and meager financial support from the regional authorities. MdM supports a programme of community health designed for the indigenous people, and medical care adapted for migrants in Moscow.

Activities:

Doctors of the World (DOW) has undertaken many different specific actions. A telephone helpline, staffed by a doctor, makes it easy for migrants to be pointed towards a network of practitioners ("friends") who are sensitive to the problems faced by this population. These are professionals who meet every six months with the aim of improving care (diseases  encountered, women's health etc.). DoW strongly encourages  organisations working with, and on behalf of, migrants to become involved in a network and to coordinate their actions. To this end, four round table discussions were organised, and 24 organisations took part. At the same time, an outreach worker is conducting awareness-raising activities in the places where migrants work, distributing leaflets on the prevention of infectious diseases, condoms and information on the telephone helpline. As a result of the program 1,100 migrants were referred by DoW's medical consultants and 420 received care. 197 field visits were carried out.

Outlook:

An assessment, anticipated at the start of the development of the programme, has been planned for the beginning of the year 2010. This evaluation in the middle of the programme will redirect the project, if needed.