Impact of Forced Human Migration on Management of End-Stage Kidney Disease in Host Countries

Summary: Forced human migration has affected many populations in the past few decades, the worst has been from Syria, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Venezuela. Neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iran, Macedonia, Albania and Colombia have struggled to provide care to refugees with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This review describes and assesses the impact of forced human migration on host countries and the challenges they face when managing refugees with ESKD. Many lessons are learned, most importantly, the urging necessity of establishing health care systems ready to handle an unexpected influx of refugees with ESKD through collaborative national, regional and international efforts.