Hate politics hampering care to migrants: Lancet

POLITICAL narratives relying on hate, which get amplified by the media, are making it tough to protect migration, making it challenging to help refugees with health issues, according to a latest article in the Lancet.

- Kavita Bajeli-Datt @ New Delhi

Noting that migration will remain one of the most significant issues of the 21st century, it said safety, health, and well-being of migrants must be upheld.

The report also flagged the alarming rise of forced displacement because of conflict, violence, persecution, human rights violations, and events that disturb public order. In 2024, there were an estimated 304 million international migrants, it said. Stressing that the global health community has a key role in advancing these arguments, the report said a large part of the public in many countries is not swayed by these points.

"Many people remain skeptical of, or outrightly hostile towards immigration," it said, adding that if the health community cannot find a way to change these narratives, then it must find a way to operate nevertheless.