[Study Protocol] Health and wellbeing issues of Nepalese migrant workers in Gulf Countries and Malaysia: a systematic review

Nepal is a low-income country going through a demographic transition with an aging population and attendant chronic diseases. Approximately 3.8 million Nepalese (14% of the total population) work abroad (excluding India). Remittance contributes 27% of nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE) have been the most attractive destinations for migration, contributing to 85% of labour migration. Working migrants send home £6 billion every year, one third of the national income, but at great cost to migrants, their families and to the nation. Many Nepalese die abroad every year, and more return home with debilitating injuries, mental and physical illness and often silent risks of transmitting sexual or other infectious diseases at home. As part of the Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) study, we aim to conduct a systematic review to summarise the evidence on health and wellbeing of Nepalese migrant workers in GCC countries and Malaysia.