Coordinated Physical and Mental Health Care in Lampedusa’s Action Plan
To effectively address the growing healthcare needs associated with migration, Lampedusa’s Integrated Action Plan prioritizes enhancing medical and mental health care for both new arrivals and the island's residents, as well as the 200,000 tourists who visit annually. To achieve this, the municipality of Lampedusa has formed a unique partnership with the Provincial Health Service ASP Palermo, the Red Cross, and the National Institute for Health, Migration, and Poverty which operates under the Italian Ministry of Health. This collaboration aims to implement gradual improvements to the island's healthcare infrastructure.
Improving health care for pregnant women: the Lampedusa model’ of rapid obstetric triage
Being confronted with an increasing number of pregnant women arriving on the island - with women having to fly to Sicily for each scan - stepping up obstetric and gynecological services had become a priority for the new partnership. A rapid obstetric triage system was introduced to identify the need for obstetric emergency interventions directly upon arrival. After decades in which all deliveries had to take place in Sicily, Lampedusa now has a basic emergency delivery room and an incubator. Over the past six months three babies were born on the island. An evaluation of the “Lampedusa model” has shown that it has significantly reduced the need for conducting emergency evacuation by helicopter minimizing both the risk of unavailability for other emergencies and costs.
Creating a Win-Win Situation for Locals and Migrants
With the introduction of several new services, including an emergency unit, a cardiology department, and 24-hour pediatric and radiology care, healthcare has significantly improved for both locals and migrants arriving in Lampedusa. This enhancement was made possible through a memorandum of understanding among various national, provincial, and local stakeholders involved in Lampedusa’s Stakeholder Group, supported by funding from the EU Asylum and Migration Fund. These institutions now regularly monitor the situation and assess additional needs to further enhance healthcare. Looking ahead, plans are in place to establish a mental health service, facilitate rapid tuberculosis diagnosis, and develop traumatology and oncology services.
Overcoming trauma through narration
In response to the urgent mental health needs of arriving migrants, Caterina Famularo, a psychologist at Lampedusa’s Reception Hub, shared her approach to providing “first aid” from a mental health perspective. Many migrants experience profound trauma during their journeys, often stemming from abuse in transit countries like Libya and perilous crossings in overloaded, unreliable inflatable boats or the grimly dubbed “floating graves.” Drawing froma methodology used by Sosnowiec, a partner of the WELDI group, which supports children from Ukraine, Caterina employs narrative techniques such as drawing, to help newly arrived migrants, particularly children, process and overcome their trauma.
What sets Lampedusa apart, however, is that her work is limited to initial interventions, with most migrants being transferred to the mainland within 72 hours of arrival. WELDI partners emphasize that this initial welcoming phase is crucial for traumatized newcomers, as it plays a vital role in restoring trust and establishing new ties.
Conclusion
Lampedusa's multifaceted approach to addressing migration challenges highlights its commitment to human dignity and inclusive urban development. By prioritizing health care and psychological support for migrants while fostering community cohesion, the island aims to navigate the complexities of migration and create a more equitable living environment for all. Through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, Lampedusa stands as a testament to the resilience and humanity that can emerge in the face of migration challenges.
