On February 11, 2025, Tallinn hosted an important roundtable discussion addressing the healthcare and social challenges faced by key and vulnerable populations (including people living with HIV and other social diseases) among international refugees and migrants in Estonia.
Organized in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Tallinn City Government, the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EHPV), the Regional Expert Group on Migration and Health, and the Cermes3 Laboratory, the event brought together experts, civil society representatives, and government officials to explore solutions for improving healthcare access and support systems. The roundtable was funded by ANRS MIE (Emerging Infectious Diseases), an autonomous agency of Inserm, France.
Today, Estonia hosts over 35,000 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the country since 2022, along with numerous other international migrants. The roundtable aimed to shed light on the barriers these individuals face in accessing HIV and TB care, as well as their overall well-being.
The event revolved around four key objectives:
- Identifying barriers to healthcare access, including bureaucratic and legal obstacles.
- Addressing stigma and discrimination, particularly for people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups.
- Showcasing effective strategies used by Estonian civil society to support key and vulnerable populations among international migrants and refugees.
- Strengthening collaboration for migrant-sensitive healthcare services.
The roundtable featured in-depth discussions based on a recent study by Paris Cité University – Sorbonne, highlighting barriers to healthcare, especially for individuals affected by HIV and tuberculosis. Daniel Kashnitsky (Paris Cité – Sorbonne University, Regional Expert Group on Migration and Health) and Maksym Kasyanczuk (Estonian Network of People Living with HIV) presented research findings and community-driven solutions, while three refugees shared their powerful personal stories, offering a crucial firsthand perspective on the challenges they faced.
Additionally, Sigrid Solnik, Representative of the Estonian Refugee Council (Pagulasabi), discussed ongoing efforts in supporting Ukrainian refugees, while Kristiina Aavik, Health Mediator from the International Organization for Migration, highlighted the importance of health mediation programs for migrant well-being.
Latsin Alijev (EHPV) presented on civil society and community-based programs for key populations among migrants in Estonia, emphasizing the role of grassroots initiatives in improving healthcare access and social support.
Karl Sander Kase, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn for Welfare and Health Care, participated in the entire event, underscoring the city’s commitment to improving healthcare access and social support systems for refugees and migrants.
One of the key outcomes of the event was the development of concrete recommendations to enhance healthcare and social service accessibility for vulnerable migrant and refugee groups. These recommendations include:
- Involving key and vulnerable communities, including those with a migration background, in decision-making processes to ensure inclusive policy development.
- Providing HIV and TB care services based on actual residence rather than official registration, ensuring access for all in need, including undocumented migrants.
- Developing community-based data collection mechanisms to enhance understanding and response to healthcare challenges.
- Enhancing awareness and information dissemination through multilingual guides and training sessions.
- Incorporating health topics into law enforcement and migration services, ensuring authorities are well-informed about the healthcare needs of migrants.
- Establishing an advisory workgroup on the Tallinn city level to continuously assess and improve support mechanisms for refugees and migrants.
- Creating effective communication channels for migrants in Tallinn, including dedicated hotlines and support centers.
The roundtable marked a crucial step toward enhancing the healthcare landscape for refugees and migrants in Estonia. As Estonia continues to navigate the evolving challenges of migration and refugee integration, this dialogue helps advance inclusive policies and foster a more supportive environment for key and vulnerable populations in Estonia.