Coronavirus - Mozambique: Thousands of Mozambican Miners to receive Health Checks, return to South Africa

Fivehundred miners screened for the virus by their hiring agency, have receivedhealth checksat an IOM cross-border Occupational Health Centre,which operatesin cooperation with Mozambique’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour,Employment and Social Security.The center was created to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis(TB),a condition which disproportionately affects mine workers.

The first groupof workers who were called to return by mining companiesare in quarantine in South Africa for 14 days. An additional 3,000 will be screened at thecentrein the coming weeks.

IOM has decades of experience assisting its members states with a range of health and border management issues. The Organizationadvocatesfor the health-proofing of global mobility systems and sees the integration of migrants into the post-pandemic planning as a key to global socio-economic recovery efforts.

South Africa’s gold and platinum mines alone employ roughly 45,000 migrant workers and their skills are considered essential to the resumption of economic activity there.

“I have worked in South Africa for 31 years.” said amineworker,Januario. “Here inRessanoGarcia I did my health check,all ofthe tests, I wasapprovedand I am in good health, withoutillness.”

Thearrangementbetween the two countries to allow the flow of properly screenedlabormigrant across the border by mainstreaming COVID-19prevention measuresis an example of what can be accomplished when governments are encouraged to discuss and plan together for the resumption of cross-border mobility. It is hoped that thousands of migrant workers, including those in the agricultural sector, with contracts in South Africa will soon become part of the same process.

The health check process at the clinic in Ressano Garcia has also been adapted to address public health concerns related to COVID-19. Prevention measures including multiple hand hygiene stations, physical distancing, the wearing of masks is required to protect both staff and patients all of whom receive detailed information about COVID-19 as part of the process.

Thecentrewaslaunched withfundingfromthe United States Centers for Disease ControlandPrevention, andis currently supported by the World Bank.

Since opening in 2018, thecentre’sprogram has evolved to include tests for diabetes, hypertension, and voluntary HIV testing is offered, in addition to tuberculosis screening.The services are being further upgraded to also include audiometry, vision acuity test, spirometry (lung capacity) and chest x-ray to detect other occupational illnesses.

From September 2018 until August 2019IOMhas screened over18,000Mozambican miners who work in South Africa for TB, in addition to diabetes and hypertension, and offered voluntary HIV testing.Through the effort, a total of1,613 TB suspect cases were further tested and97 new TB and/or HIV cases were discovered.Support to initiate and continue treatment in South Africa through a cross-border referral systemis provided throughimplementing partner organization in SouthAfrica, Rightto Care.

“This centre is essential to protect the health of miners and their communities,” saidtheMinistry of Health’sDr.VâniaChongo-Faruk, Occupational Medicine Physician from the National Occupational Health Program-MISAU.“The services provided include conducting a health check both upon departure and return, and provision of follow up medical assistance including cross-border referrals for; this helps to ensure that these miners and migrant workerswill receive the care that they need to continue their work and safely visit their families.”

Efforts to facilitate mobility by integrating public health into border management is also evident in IOM’s work with cross-border truckers at theRessanoGarcia andMachipandaborder crossings. Since early June, IOM-trained facilitators have engaged with close to 7,500 cross-border truck drivers, providing COVID-19 prevention messages in local languages, with a focus on practical tips for handwashing and physical distancing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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