An intervention study: The effectiveness of sustainable mobile healthcare services for migratory and seasonal farmworkers

Our evidence-based previous studies showed that serious deficiencies in sanitation, housing, toilet facilities, education, nutrition, access to health care services, and lifestyle create a serious health problems for migrant and seasonal workers (MSW) in this study area. They face a variety of barriers to receiving health and social care including; geographically and socially isolation, frequent mobility, unawareness of own health protection and primary prevention measures and centers, inadequate resources, and linguistic differences between workers and health care providers.They often move great distances from their homes to work, and they stay 3-4 months in their permanent house. Mobility makes follow up (e.g., monitoring pregnants) and long-term care (e.g., for tuberculosis, malaria) difficult to provide. After these studies, a sustainable mobile healthcare services including mother and child health (safe motherhood program, family planning, monitoring child growth and development,  vaccination, iodine salt), environment health (safe water storage using with chlorine tablets, safer pesticide usage, toilet facilities) and early diagnosis and treatment have been established to meet the healthcare needs into current health system, collaboration with University Public Health Department, Sanliurfa Municipality, Sanliurfa Health Directorate supported by Common Program UNFPA and Sabanci Foundation. Researchers organized in-service training program, developed training materials and follow-up forms, enumaration system of camps, feedback and surveillance system, advocacy il all meetings, and workshops for headmans. Preventive health indicators have been increased significantly after the program. This works were activated the local and Ministry of Health authorities. By increasing awareness among health care professionals and national and local authorities of the plight of migratory and seasonal farmworkers, the authors hope to encourage development of a stronger public health infrastructure and to improve the health status of this disadvantaged group in terms of social rights and healthcare these individuals. Key words: Mobile healthcare services, migratory farm workers, primary healthcare services