Expedition towards providing quality education: Physical and mental health of the refugees

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Muneebaah Siddiqua who  is a first year dental student currently studying in Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka, dental unit, Bangladesh. She is affiliated with the Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS). International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Refugees, individuals who have been forced to leave their home countries due to persecution or violence, often seek shelter in other countries to ensure their safety. Refugee camps, established by host governments with support from local and international non-governmental organizations, serve as safe havens. However, these camps present several challenges, particularly in accessing quality healthcare and education. Both physical and mental health issues are prevalent among refugees, including infectious diseases, malnutrition, and mental health conditions like depression and PTSD. Solving these challenges requires raising awareness, providing education, improving infrastructure, and promoting a positive attitude towards refugees.

1. Physical Health Challenges: a. Infectious Diseases: Lack of access to clean water leads to waterborne diseases (typhoid, jaundice and diarrhea). Overcrowding and poor sanitation contribute to the spread of infectious diseases (tuberculosis, measles, flu). b. Malnutrition: Limited availability of nutritious food leads to malnutrition, impacting overall health. c. Environmental Factors: Exposure to unfamiliar environments and unsuitable climates can lead to illness and life-threatening conditions. According to a descriptive evaluation of 25,779 refugees who completed a screening medical examination in Minnesota during 2003–2010, conducted by some volunteers of The American journal of Tropical  Medicine and Hygiene. A total of 18,516 (72%) refugees were tested for at least one STI: 183 (1.1%) of 17,235 were seropositive for syphilis, 15 (0.6%) of 2,512 were positive for Chlamydia, 5 (0.2%) of 2,403 were positive for gonorrhea, 136 (2.0%) of 6,765 were positive for human immunodeficiency virus and 6 (0.1%) of 5,873 were positive for multiple STIs. Overall prevalence of Chlamydia (0.6%) and gonorrhea (0.2%) infection was low, which indicated that routine screening may not be indicated. Mental Health Challenges: a. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Anxiety: Refugees often experience traumatic events before and during their displacement, leading to psychological distress. b. Depression: Leaving their homes and facing uncertainty can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and isolation. c. Lack of Mental Health Support: Limited access to professional counselors and mental health services in camps. 

A vivid outlook on how to solve these problems has been discussed below.

1. Health Education: Raise awareness among refugees about prevalent health conditions and their prevention. Provide education on utilizing limited resources effectively for maintaining physical health. Promote the benefits of physical fitness and an active lifestyle. 

b. Infrastructure Development: Establish and improve healthcare facilities within the camps, ensuring accessibility. Train refugees to use available healthcare resources independently. c. Training and Volunteer Programs: Select refugees for medical intervention programs, empowering them with in-depth health knowledge. Enable refugees to take an active role in promoting health and well-being within their communities. d. Mental Health Support: Encourage refugees to acknowledge and address their mental health conditions. Offer counseling services whenever possible and provide information on the risks of neglecting mental health. e. Attitude Change and Inclusion: Promote a positive mindset towards refugees, fostering an environment where education and integration are embraced. Encourage host communities to view refugees as valuable contributors to society.