On 7 July 2026, at the University of Limerick, Daniel Kashnitsky (REG) and Krystyna Rivera (100%Life) took part in an Associated Presidency Event focused on participatory approaches to improve the health and wellbeing of migrants in Europe.
The event was hosted by the University of Limerick and its WHO Collaborating Centre for Participatory Health Research with Refugees and Migrants. It was convened at the invitation of Professor Anne MacFarlane, bringing together researchers, civil society actors, public health experts, and policy partners to discuss how migrant health can be strengthened through community engagement, better coordination, and more inclusive services.
Daniel and Krystyna contributed a migrant health perspective to the programme, with a focus on cross-country participatory collaborations around HIV and TB services for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection. Their work highlighted the barriers refugees face in accessing care, the coping strategies they use, and the role of community-led organisations in maintaining continuity of treatment across borders.
The discussions in Limerick showed that legal rights alone are not enough. Language barriers, stigma, fragmented health systems, insurance gaps, and administrative obstacles continue to limit access to care, especially for people living with HIV, TB, and other chronic conditions. Community-based and refugee-led organisations remain essential in bridging these gaps and sustaining trust where formal systems often fall short.
These issues are especially important in the context of changing health and reception policies for Ukrainian refugees and other migrants across the EU. Even if the Temporary Protection Directive, which allows Ukrainian nationals to reside in EU countries, is extended beyond March 2027, health rights and social benefits for refugees in many countries are likely to remain vulnerable to change. This is particularly challenging for key and vulnerable populations.
Participants discussed the need for treatment continuity guarantees, common EU health standards, integration into national health insurance systems, cross-border health coordination, and sustained funding for community-based organisations.
By linking research evidence with policy advocacy, the Limerick event helped set the agenda for what Ireland’s EU Presidency could support in the months ahead. It sent a clear message: migrant health must remain visible, coordinated, and protected across Europe.