The need to map existing health care services for refugees in Malaysia

Abstract

Despite hosting the largest number of refugees and asylum-seekers (RAS) compared to most other Southeast Asian countries [1], Malaysia is non-signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and lacks a clear socio-legal framework pertaining to RAS. To this date, there are close to 180 000 registered RAS in the country [2]. The vast majority are socio-economically marginalized and have restricted access to health care services, education and livelihoods. A survey by the UNHCR in 2015 reported that 23.9% of adult refugees in Malaysia had hypertension, 8% had diabetes, and 7% had cardiovascular diseases [3,4] Another study among Rohingya children in Kuala Lumpur found 27.5% to be underweight and 11.5% stunted [5]. These however are likely conservative estimates, given the hard-to-reach nature of RAS and other existing health issues that have not been adequately studied, like mental health.