Activities

Activity 1: Support to government health institutions and public health institutes in providing health services to migrants

This activity supports the provision of health services to migrants in Serbia in health care institutions and public health institutes in the RS. Health facilities at all three levels of health care provide treatments to migrants for all types of acute and chronic diseases.

Local health canters provide: treatment in primary healthcare centres, referral to hospitals (if necessary, with medical escort) for inpatient treatment according to clinical indications, perform laboratory testing, vaccinate new-borns and minors in accordance with the calendar of mandatory immunization of RS, perform ultrasound and X-ray diagnostics, perform gynaecological examinations, provide ambulance transport, psychological support as well as dental services.

Secondary and tertiary health care facilities provide: specialist examinations, laboratory analyses, ultrasound and X-ray imaging, additional diagnostics in the form of MRI and computed tomography (CT), haemodialysis, rehabilitation, hospitalization according to clinical indications, operations, and inter-clinical medical transport between secondary and tertiary institutions.

Registered conditions in the population of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees:

An important activity in the access of migrants to health care is adequate provision of pharmaceuticals - medicines, otc medicines, main medicines (medicines produced in pharmacies based on prescription instructions to adapt therapy to individual patient needs), medical devices, medical supplies and procurement of medical aids for the migrant population in Serbia.

Activity 2: Sanitary and hygienic supervision of accommodation facilities which includes: disinfection, disinsection and pest control

In the conditions of collective accommodation with temporary characteristics, due to increased hygienic-epidemiological risks, the competent public health institutes conduct hygienic and epidemiological surveillance in order to maintain a favourable epidemiological situation.

The Institute of Public Health of Serbia "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut" conducts a continuous health surveillance of the migrant population, which includes: monitoring the hygienic and sanitary condition in all asylum canters and transit reception canters, provides health care to migrants (immunization) and monitors the epidemiological situation related to the risk factors for the occurrence of infectious diseases in the circumstances of the increased presence of the migrant population on the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

The project finances the provision of disinfection, disinsection and deratization (DDD) services by the competent institute or public health institution, according to epidemiological indications and proposed measures for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

In collective accommodation centres, due to increased hygienic and epidemiological risks, the competent public health institutes carry out the following activities:

• Once a week, they conduct sanitary and hygienic supervision of accommodation facilities, which includes control of the conditions for maintaining the hygiene of accommodation and maintenance of general and personal hygiene, control of the supply of safe drinking water; control of the removal of all types of waste materials and other environmental factors that may have an impact on health, and control of the presence of potential sources of water, food and environmental pollution. This control also includes sampling and health testing of food and drinking water.
• Disinfect the premises once a week while deratization, depediculation and disinsection services are provided as needed.

Activity 3: Prevention of infectious diseases in the migrant population

Vaccination of minor migrants

The project envisages the activity of mandatory vaccination of minor migrants in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases ("Official Gazette of RS" No. 15/16), i.e., the Rulebook on the programme of mandatory and recommended immunization of the population against certain infectious diseases ("Official Gazette of RS" No. 112/17, 11/18). In the period from March 13, 2020 to July 2, 2021 the Institute for Public Health of Serbia "Dr Milan Jovanović Batut", in cooperation with the competent institutes for public health and health canters, realized the vaccination of minor migrants residing in the territory of the Republic of Serbia in asylum canters and reception canters.

Vaccination of minor migrants is carried out in accordance with the objectives set out in the Decree on the protection of the population from infectious diseases in Serbia, the results achieved in the field of vaccines for preventable diseases, the need to achieve and maintain immunity in the migrant population in order to prevent sporadic and epidemic outbreaks of certain infectious diseases.

In the mentioned period, a total of 2010 doses of vaccines were administered in accordance with the age and vaccination status, and according to the Programme of obligatory and recommended immunizations of the population against infectious diseases. Immunization was carried out in several cycles, respecting the interval between each dose of the same vaccine and respecting measures due to the epidemiological situation of COVID-19.

In the period from March 13 and October 9, 2020, a total of 364 people were vaccinated and 713 doses of vaccine (309 MMR, 241 dT, 19 DT, 41 IPV, 37 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 58 Hep B for children, 8 Hep B for adults) were administered in the following asylum canters / reception canters:

- Asylum Centre Krnjača, March 13, 2020: 74 people were vaccinated and 141 doses of vaccines were administered (62 MMR, 49 dT, 19 DT, 10 Hep B for children, 1 Hep B for adults);

- Asylum Centre Krnjača, September 25, 2020: 73 people were vaccinated and 142 doses of vaccines were administered (55 MMR, 25 dT, 31 IPV, 3 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 27 Hep B for children, 1 Hep B for adults);

- Asylum Centre Bogovađa, September 29, 2020: 52 people were vaccinated and 104 doses of vaccines were administered (52 MMR, 52 dT);

- Reception centre Šid Stanica, October 1, 2020: 56 people were vaccinated and 111 doses of vaccines were administered (48 MMR, 40 dT, 3 IPV, 10 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 10 Hep B for children);

- Reception centre Sombor, October 2, 2020: 28 persons were vaccinated and 56 doses of vaccines were administered (28 MMR, 27 dT, 1 IPV),

- Asylum Centre Sjenica, October 6, 2020: 23 people were vaccinated and 46 doses of vaccines were administered (18 MMR, 22 dT, 6 Hep B for adults).

- Reception centre Vranje, October 8, 2020: 51 people were vaccinated and 99 doses of vaccines were administered (39 MMR, 19 dT, 6 IPV, 24 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 11 Hep B for children);

- Reception centre Preševo, October 9, 2020: 7 persons were vaccinated and 14 doses of vaccines (7 MMR, 7 dT) were administered.

In the period from October 26 to November 6, 2020 a total of 218 persons were vaccinated and 427 doses of vaccines (178 MMR, 147 dT, 12 IPV, 46 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 44 Hep B) were administered in the following asylum canters / reception canters:

- Asylum Centre Banja Koviljača, October 26, 2020: 4 people were vaccinated and 6 doses of vaccines were administered (3 MMR, 2 dT, 1 Hep B);

- Reception centre "Kuća spasa" Loznica, October 26,2020: 4 persons were vaccinated and 8 doses of vaccines were administered (4 MMR, 4 dT);

- Asylum Centre Bogovađa, October 27, 2020: 38 people were vaccinated and 76 doses of vaccine (38 MMR, 38 dT) were administered;

- Reception centre Šid Stanica, October 28, 2020: 59 people were vaccinated and 116 doses of vaccines were administered (50 MMR, 36 dT, 4 IPV, 15 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 11 Hep B);

- Krnjača Asylum Centre, September 30, 2020: 48 people were vaccinated and 93 doses of vaccines were administered (27 MMR, 27 dT, 5 IPV, 13 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 21 Hep B);

- Asylum Centre Sjenica, November 3, 2020: 14 persons were vaccinated and 27 doses of vaccines were administered (12 MMR, 12 dT, 2 IPV, 1 Hep B).

- Reception centre Vranje, November 5, 2020: 36 people were vaccinated and 71 doses of vaccines were administered (29 MMR, 16 dT, 1 IPV, 15 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 10 Hep B);

- Reception centre Bujanovac, November 6, 2020: 15 people were vaccinated and 30 doses of vaccines were administered (15 MMR, 12 dT, 3 DTaP-IPV-Hib).

In the period from December 1 to December 4, 2020 a total of 73 persons were vaccinated and 146 doses of vaccines (57 MMR, 49 dT, 7 IPV, 13 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 20 Hep B) were administered to the following asylum canters / reception canters:

- Asylum Centre Sjenica, December 1, 2020: 12 people were vaccinated and 24 doses of vaccines were administered (8 MMR, 8 dT, 4 IPV, 4 Hep B).

- Home for minor migrants "Kuća spasa", Loznica, December 2, 2020: 6 people were vaccinated and 12 doses of vaccines were administered (6 MMR, 6 dT);

- Asylum Centre Banja Koviljača, December 2, 2020: 4 persons were vaccinated and 8 doses of vaccines were administered (3 MMR, 1 dT, 1 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 3 Hep B);

- Reception centre Vranje, December 3, 2020: 21 persons were vaccinated and 42 doses of vaccines were administered (10 MMR, 5 dT, 2 IPV, 12 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 13 Hep B);

- Reception centre Bujanovac, December 4, 2020: 30 people were vaccinated and 60 doses of vaccines (30 MMR, 29 dT, 1 IPV) were administered.

In the period from May 7 to May 19, 202, a total of 73 people were vaccinated and

395 doses of vaccines (139 MMR, 15 DT, 133 dT, 21 IPV, 25 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 62 Hep B) were administered in the following asylum canters / reception canters:

- Asylum Centre Krnjača, May 7, 2021: 58 people were vaccinated and 106 vaccine doses (23 MMR, 28 dT, 14 DT, 14 IPV, 6 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 21 Hep B) were administered;

- Reception centre Vranje, May 10, 2021: 21 persons were vaccinated and 37 doses of vaccines were administered (8 MMR, 5 dT, 3 IPV, 7 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 14 Hep B);

- Reception centre Bosilegrad, May 11, 2021, 6 people were vaccinated and 12 doses of vaccines were administered (6 MMR, 5 dT, 1 DTaP-IPV-Hib);

- Reception centre Bujanovac, May 12, 2021: 18 persons were vaccinated and 36 doses of vaccines were administered (17 MMR, 10 dT, 3 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 6 Hep B);

- Reception centre Šid-Stanica, May 13, 2021: 35 people were vaccinated and 64 doses of vaccines were administered (19 MMR, 1 DT, 24 dT, 8 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 12 Hep B);

- Reception centre Sombor, May 14, 2021: 20 people were vaccinated and 40 doses of vaccines were administered (20 MMR, 19 dT, 1 Hep B);

- Asylum Centre Bogovađa, May 19, 2021, 50 people were vaccinated and 100 doses of vaccines (46 MMR, 42 dT, 4 IPV, 8 Hep B) were administered.

In the period from June 3 to July 2, 2021 a total of 181 persons were vaccinated and 329 doses of vaccines (112 MMR, 10 DT, 105 dT, 15 IPV, 17 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 70 Hep B) were administered in the following asylum canters / reception canters:

- Reception centre "Kuća spasa" Loznica, June 3, 2021: 3 persons were vaccinated and 6 doses of vaccines were administered (3 dT, 28, 3 Hep B);

- Asylum Centre Krnjača, June 4, 2021: 41 people were vaccinated and 77 doses of vaccines were administered (31 MMR, 21 dT, 6 DT, 1 IPV, 8 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 10 Hep B);

- Reception centre Vranje, June 8, 2021: 20 people were vaccinated and 38 doses of vaccines were administered (10 MMR, 10 dT, 5 IPV, 5 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 8 Hep B);

- Reception centre Bujanovac, June 8, 2021, 5 persons were vaccinated and 10 doses of vaccines were administered (5 MMR, 5 dT);

- Reception centre Preševo, June 9, 2021: 6 people were vaccinated and 12 doses of vaccines were administered (6 MMR, 6 dT);

- Reception centre Šid-Stanica, June 10, 2021: 26 persons were vaccinated and 49 doses of vaccines were administered (14 MMR, 2 DT, 8 dT, 8 IPV, 4 DTaP-IPV-Hib, 13 Hep B);

- Reception centre Sombor, June 11, 2021: 2 persons were vaccinated and 4 doses of vaccine (2 MMR, 2 dT) were administered;

- Asylum Centre Bogovađa, June 22, 2021, 43 people were vaccinated and 86 doses of vaccines were administered (42 MMR, 39 dT, 1 IPV, 4 Hep B).

- Reception centre "Kuća spasa" Loznica, July 2, 2021, 6 persons were vaccinated and 12 doses of vaccines (6 dT, 6 Hep B) were administered.

- Asylum Centre Krnjača, July 2, 2021: 29 people were vaccinated and 35 doses of vaccines were administered (2 MMR, 2 DT, 5 dT, 26 Hep B);

3б. Vaccination of migrants against coronavirus SARS CoV-2

Immediately after creating the conditions for immunization of the domicile population with the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus vaccine, activities were launched to establish quality information campaign for the migrant population about the benefits of vaccination, which resulted in a number of migrants opting for vaccination. In three organized vaccination rounds so far, a total of 456 migrants over the age of 18 have been immunized in several asylum canters and transit canters, noting that promotional activities in this area continue in order to keep with the immunization of this population due to constant fluctuations and arrival of new migrants.

Activity 4: Human Resources

These grants provide direct support to the employment of additional staff so as to ensure the continuous and adequate functioning of health units in the canters, as well as continuous and accessible healthcare for migrants. The grant is intended to be used for the engagement of trained staff specializing in working with migrants, local health workers, organizing the work of medical teams composed of doctors, nurses/technicians and psychologists in asylum canters and transit/reception canters for provision of healthcare in cooperation with the competent and territorially closest health institution of the primary level of healthcare.

The project is funding the engagement of 18 medical doctors, 21 medical technicians and 5 psychologists.

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, whether accommodated in or outside canters (e.g., in private accommodation), have access to all health services. However, if they are accommodated in transit-reception canters or asylum canters, health services at the primary level are provided by the medical team engaged in the camp, through the territorially competent health centre. If a patient needs further diagnostics that require laboratory tests or services that require the use of special medical equipment, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are referred to the competent health centre. If there are medical indications which go beyond the primary level of services, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are further referred to secondary and tertiary level institutions. All health services are provided according to the established procedure and in coordination with the medical teams in the canters.

Hiring medical teams involves hiring licensed physicians and medical technicians from the National Employment Service. In addition to the support planned by the provision of services, the project is used for a continuous work with medical staff who already have experience with the migrant population and thus ensure the maintenance of basic knowledge. The Ministry of Health ensures that the provision of services is performed in a unique and standardized manner in accordance with government recommendations, and that these services do not overlap/duplicate in the same locations, thus ensuring efficient and streamlined implementation of activities.