Refugee and migrant health system review: challenges and opportunities for long-term health system strengthening in Estonia

Overview

Estonia has experienced a substantial increase in the number of refugees and migrants, particularly since 2022 due to the war in Ukraine. By March 2024, more than 38,000 Ukrainian refugees were recorded in Estonia, with Ukrainian nationals making up 57% of all migrants. This increase has presented new challenges for Estonia’s health system, particularly in ensuring access to primary health care, mental health services, and the integration of refugees into the workforce.

This report presents the findings of a joint review of the health system in Estonia, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia, and other partners. The review examines the capacity of Estonia’s health system to provide services for refugees and migrants. It focuses on the health challenges facing refugees and migrants, the policies and systems in place to address these challenges, and the opportunities to strengthen long-term health system capacity. Furthermore, the report offers practical recommendations for addressing the barriers refugees and migrants face in accessing health services.