Diversity and equality of opportunity: Fundamentals for effective action
in the microcosm of the health care institution

This manual, Published by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in collaboration with H+ Swiss Hospital Association, aims to provide the administrators of Swiss health care institutions – hospitals, clinics and long-term-care facilities – with practical support in addressing the societal issues
surrounding diversity and migration.

International migration is one of the defining attributes of recent decades. It has had a marked effect on the social and economic development of numerous countries. Efforts are under way at both the national and international level to meet the challenges migration poses for the people and countries concerned. Migration influences practically every area of life to a greater or lesser extent. Health care is among the areas most notably affected.
Situated at the heart of Europe, Switzerland has for centuries been a crossroads for migrants from all points of the compass. The multiplicity of cultures and languages in Switzerland is an essential feature of its society. Today, roughly a quarter of the Swiss population is of migrant origin, principally as a result of immigration related to employment. Switzerland’s migrant population is very diverse, not only in origin, religion and language, but also in terms of its skills, lifestyle and social status. Like most modern societies, Switzerland has experienced considerable changes in its cultural and social values as a result.
Not all areas of society pay sufficient heed to this diversity. Critical self-examination shows that the Swiss health care system, for example, is not adequately equipped to provide appropriate health care to the country’s migrant population, as demonstrated by the fact that some migrants are exposed to heightened health risks and are disadvantaged relative to other population groups.

This manual aims to provide the administrators of Swiss health care institutions – hospitals, clinics and long-term-care facilities – with practical support in addressing the societal issues surrounding diversity and migration. The backgrounds to diversity and migration are examined, as are the opportunities which the acquisition of cross-cultural competence can open up. The organizational challenges posed by potential conflicts between diversity and equality of opportunity are highlighted. The manual also makes a number of practical recommendations on how effectively to address these issues in the context of a health care institution. Appropriate diversity management can help an institution to utilize its employee resources effectively, thus bringing about more satisfactory outcomes for patients and health care workers alike.

The manual is available in different languages:
English: http://www.hplus.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Branchenloesungen/Migrant_
Friendly_Hospitals/manual%20MFH%202007.pdf

Allemand:
http://www.hplus.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Branchenloesungen/Migrant_Friendly_
Hospitals/manual%20MFH%202007.pdf

Français :
http://www.hplus.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Branchenloesungen/Migrant_Friendly_
Hospitals/MFH-Manuel__2e_%C3%A9dit.2009_.pdf

Italien :
http://www.hplus.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Branchenloesungen/Migrant_Friendly_
Hospitals/branchenloesungen_mfh_manuale_diversita_e_pari_opportunita.pdf

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