409 Swiss health network for equity: addressing migrant health inequities through a national network

Abstract EP2.2, e-Poster Terminal 2, September 3, 2025, 13:05 - 14:00 Aim The Swiss Health Network for Equity (SH4E) emerged from the European “Migrant Friendly Hospital” project initiated in 2005. In 2010, Switzerland replicated this initiative to address health equity issues for migrant populations. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) supported selected hospitals in developing competence centers for migrants as part of the national “Migration and Health” program. Today, forced migrants in Switzerland represent 132’699 people including Ukrainian people. Methods Initially, the FOPH mandated healthcare institutions to develop and address equity aspects of care for migrant populations. This led to the establishment of a national network, which evolved into the formal creation of the SH4E association in 2023. The network transitioned from initial federal funding and coordination to a progressive autonomization process. SH4E now operates through member contributions and federal office subsidies. Results Currently, 20 institutions representing Switzerland’s three linguistic regions are members of SH4E, including hospitals and ambulatory care centers. The network’s legal structure and autonomy allow for greater freedom in advocacy and policy engagement. Activities include regional and national training sessions, an annual national forum, and regional events on migration health topics. SH4E facilitates the sharing of best practices among members, strengthens access to community interpreting services including signing, and actively participates in research projects. The network plays a crucial role in intersectional situations where forced migration adds an LGBTIQ+ appurtenance or disabilities. Conclusion SH4E serves as an example of an independent nationwide network of health institutions. It functions as a migrant health observatory and a promotor of health equity. In a global context of rising far-right sentiments and anti-migrant discourse, such a network is indispensable for defending the fundamental rights of migrant populations to equitable access to healthcare.