In recent years, Europe has been grappling with a serious labour shortage which is impacting nearly all economic sectors due to an ageing population, low birth rates, and migration.
Europe is at a critical juncture as it faces climate-induced migration and labour shortages, which are set to impact its healthcare systems. In this article, Aleksandra Madziar, a Health & Benefits insurance broker at GrECo Poland, examines how these factors will shape the future of healthcare in Europe, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions. Madziar provides a comprehensive look at migration policies, resource management, and the need for a robust medical workforce.
Global Challenges: Migration and Resource Shortages by 2050
The climate migration phenomenon is gaining importance on a scale like never before. It is closely linked to global warming, which is leading to harsh living conditions in some areas of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. However, rising temperatures are not the only migration drive. Other effects of climate change, such as an increase in droughts, floods, violent weather events and related humanitarian crises, are also having an impact.
The World Bank has starkly projected that climate change could displace up to 216 million people internally by 2050. This, coupled with the Institute for Economics and Peace’s estimate of 1.2 billion potential displacements due to climate change and natural disasters, underscores the urgency of the issue. Compounding the challenges, the report also highlights a staggering 60% decline in clean water availability over the last 50 years. With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for water and food will continue to surge. These projections urgently call for comprehensive action to address the impending crises.
Political Pitfalls and Social Ineffectiveness in Addressing Climate Migration
The issue of mass migration resulting from global climate change is of growing concern. Many individuals, facing harsh environmental conditions, are left with no choice but to seek refuge and sustainable livelihoods elsewhere. Unfortunately, this phenomenon, both perennial and immediate, is often completely ignored. There is a notable deficiency in studies examining the interconnections between migration, environmental factors, and economic activities. Experts in natural sciences, sociology, and economics tend to work in isolation, leading to a lack of interdisciplinary approaches. Consequently, even significant documents like the Global Commission on International Migration (IOM) report or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report often present findings that do not capture the full complexity of the situation.
Politically advantageous yet socially ineffective, addressing global environmental issues without considering the larger drivers of poverty and inequality results in flawed policies. International approaches often appear to focus mainly on the prudent use of resources, factoring in demographics and the risks of unequal benefit distribution both within and across nations. Therefore, international policy must pivot to measures that enhance the resilience of natural systems and address social challenges. What impact will migration in Europe have on the availability of basic necessities, such as healthcare and essential social benefits, as enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Labour shortage: Threats to European employers
In recent years, Europe has been grappling with a serious labour shortage which is impacting nearly all economic sectors due to an ageing population, low birth rates, and migration. This shortage hampers job filling, economic growth, and innovation. Addressing this challenge is crucial for Europe’s future prosperity and appeal. Prioritising the supply of skilled labour, enhancing access for foreigners to the EU market, improving hiring systems, and recognising qualifications are essential steps. Efficient mechanisms are also needed to attract labour from third countries to address the persistent vacancies in various sectors, as well as to recruit specialists with the requisite skills.
Health care accessibility problems in the context of migration and labour shortage
A WHO report, tellingly entitled “A Universal Truth: No Health Without a Workforce,” highlights the essential role of a robust medical workforce in meeting population health needs. There’s a clear link between public health and the quantity and quality of healthcare workers. Europe faces critical challenges with staff shortages and an ageing medical workforce, particularly among doctors and nurses. These issues stem from poor human resource management, mismatched staffing profiles, insufficient educational planning, and chronic underfunding of healthcare systems.
Migration policies and healthcare access for migrants vary greatly across Europe. In Sweden, for instance, the country boasts one of the more open migration policies, offering access to healthcare for all residents, including migrants and refugees. Significant support programmes are in place to facilitate their integration into the health system. Germany, on the other hand, has introduced programmes that allow refugees and migrants to access healthcare, although there may be restrictions for individuals who do not have refugee status or legal residency. Meanwhile, Spain provides access to healthcare for migrants, particularly asylum seekers, though those without valid documents might face certain restrictions. Migrants in Poland are entitled to public healthcare, but their access can be limited. Those who are legally employed and pay health insurance premiums can avail themselves of full healthcare services. However, illegal migrants or those without insurance status may encounter difficulties in accessing necessary care.
This landscape of varied policies highlights the need for a more unified and coherent approach to healthcare access for migrants across Europe. Supplemental health insurance programmes could be an option, however in the absence of a coherent migration policy in European Union countries and an underestimation of the number of migrants likely to settle in the region in the coming years, a major challenge arises. Balancing the gaps in the shortage of medical personnel becomes extremely difficult, especially in the absence of concrete figures. It is therefore necessary to develop unified solutions that considers both the health needs of citizens and visions of integration and employment of migrants in the health sector.
Is there a solution?
The time for complacency is over. We need a robust system to monitor migration in the context of emigration and immigration. The shortages in medical personnel and an aging population will inevitably affect the availability and affordability of healthcare services, further straining insurance systems.
International cooperation is not just beneficial – it is essential. We must foster the exchange of experiences and support between countries, introduce proven tools for workforce planning, and ensure that insurance companies are prepared to face these challenges head-on.
Now is the moment to act. Let us work together to improve human resources in the healthcare system and establish a foundational document regulating migration in the context of health care. This will not only increase the availability and satisfaction of medical services but will also ensure a brighter, healthier future for all. The stakes are high, and the call to action is clear: we must act decisively, and we must act now.
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Aleksandra Madziar
Health & Benefits insurance broker
GrECo Poland
T +487 827 81315
