Written by Holly Mogford
Migrant Action recognises the resemblances between many organisations and campaigns visions in working towards migrant justice and health justice. As an organisation which is increasingly committed to responding to the injustices which are perpetuated from this interaction, we deeply value connections with like-minded organisations and campaigns. ‘The Connection Between Heath and Migration Justice” workshop held in Leeds in October 2024 in collaboration with Medact was a product of shared understandings around the challenges that migrants experience in accessing healthcare in the United Kingdom – an issue which both Migrant Action and Medact are committed to responding to.
The event begun by presenting a series of scenarios relating to the challenges of accessing healthcare as a migrant in the UK. In working through the nuances presented by the scenarios we worked as a collective to critically engage with the implications which were identified – connecting them to broader structures of inequality and power which are assembled through constructions of race, gender, class, sexuality among (many other constructed identities). In doing so, the need for urgency in our response was brought into sharp focus. Following this exercise, the legislative framework in which the NHS has become a site of immigration control was presented – situating the experiences which were previously discussed within this context. Specific practices such as NHS treatment charging were mapped out – for example, referring to the payments which overseas visitors are required to pay. These payments constitute costs of up to 150% of the treatment (the payment is required upfront if the treatment is not recognised as immediately necessary or urgent). The event concluded in collective thought around ways of resistance – what does a world without boundaries to healthcare look like and how do we get there? Questions to which responses are not clear cut – but certainly questions which must guide our organising.
The depth and complexity of the conversations within this workshop was a testament to the communities’ commitment in imaging a world in which principles of care and love are prioritised over neoliberal capitalist thinking. This collaboration with Medact which brought together members of the community in collective action to vision alternative futures in which healthcare is a right for all regardless of ones’ immigration status is the way in which we will continue our work on health and migrant justice – building allyships through shared struggles.
