Attachments
Executive summary
Other nationals also seek refuge in Estonia; between 24 February 2022 and 5 April 2024, 52 221 people had requested temporary protection and 7396 sought international protection, including 6837 Ukrainians. Ukrainians mainly reside in Harju County, Järva County, Pärnu, Tallinn and Tartu. Estonia's management of refugee, migrant and asylum seeker health is supported by national, regional and global legal instruments. These facilitate cooperation and the implementation of health policies for refugees and migrants. Nationally, the Health Services Organization Act and the Health Insurance Act ensure equal health care access for refugees and migrants. Key provisions include §8(3), which allows insured individuals to register with and change family physicians and §6(1) and §9(1), which guarantee emergency care for everyone in Estonia. Key institutions involved are the Ministry of Social Affairs, which develops social and health care policies; the Ministry of the Interior, which manages migration and asylum policies; the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, which facilitates health care access; the Estonian Health Board (EHB), which oversees public health for refugees and migrants; and the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF), which ensures health care access for all insured, including non-citizens. Regionally and globally, Estonia engages with various frameworks such as the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC, activated in response to the war in Ukraine, granting Ukrainian citizens temporary protection and health care access. Estonia also participates in the European Union (EU) Health Security Committee, the EU4Health Programme 2021–2027 and the Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health in the WHO European Region 2023–2030.
Scope and objectives: a joint review of Estonia's refugee and migrant health system was conducted by WHO, in partnership with Estonia's Ministry of Social Affairs and key partners including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other relevant stakeholders. The review aimed to identify health challenges for refugees and migrants and enhance the capacity of Estonia's health system. Specific objectives included assessing health system capacity, integrating services for refugees and migrants, enhancing international support in line with Estonia's policies and strengthening partnerships and coordination within the country.
Methodology: the review utilized qualitative methods, starting with a comprehensive desk review followed by field visits to key locations in Harju County, Paide, Tallinn and Tartu. Insights were gathered through interviews and discussions with health service providers and stakeholders.