Prolepsis Institute for the World Refugee Day: Facilitating access to better, safer healthcare for refugees and migrants
June 20, 2018
Research conducted by the EU project Mig-HealthCare: responses of refugees, health professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations and volunteers regarding healthcare.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the Prolepsis Institute underlines the need to protect refugees’ health and to implement effective interventions for the continuous improvement of their living conditions. Significant deficiencies particularly in the field of mental health services, conditions of uncertainty and being stranded in Greece aggravate the mental health of refugees and migrants.
This illustrates two main studies of Mig-HealthCare; Strengthen Community Based Care to minimize health inequalities and improve the integration of vulnerable migrants and refugees into local communities. The program is implemented by the Prolepsis Institute as lead partner and co-funded by the EU’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).
The first study regards access to health care services in Europe for refugees and migrants and was recently completed (November 2017-April 2018). Key findings show problems in health services, inequality and discrimination in relation to access to healthcare services.
The study was conducted with interviews and 20 focus group discussions in 10 countries of Mig-HealthCare partners. Participants were policy makers, health professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations and volunteers.
All participants underline the need to strengthen mental health services; since living conditions, language and communication barriers and lack of access to healthcare services affect refugees and migrants’ mental health. Furthermore, healthcare systems in host countries are unprepared to face mental health conditions while the model of receiving refugees and migrants worsens the situation because it leads to isolation, inaction, uncertainty and social exclusion.
The second Mig-HealthCare study is in progress and addresses the physical and mental health conditions of refugees in ten European countries. According to the results that have been recorded so far, the most common health problems faced by refugees in Greece are: dental health (74.4%), headaches/migraines (60.6%) and sleep disturbances (51%). Also mental health (worry/anxiety, 59%) and ophthalmological problems (55%) are reported.
Information on their rights and access to healthcare services is also a major cause for concern for migrants (55.6%), and a large percentage of them need more information on how to deal with anxiety (54.4%).
Following interviews with policy makers, health care professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations and volunteers, the following measures were proposed:
- raise awareness of health care professionals on mental and dental health and gender issues.
- Make available translators and cultural mediators.
- Ensure that migrants receive adequate information on access to healthcare.
- Improve coordination between EU countries and healthcare services in EU countries.
- Ensure that healthcare providers receive information on the legal rights of migrants in regards to healthcare access and supply.
Mig-HealthCare identifies needs for health care services, develops training tools for health professionals, provides information material to migrants/refugees and implements other targeted actions. The main objective of the program is to reduce health inequalities by improving physical and mental health services for migrants and refugees.
Fourteen scientific bodies participate in the program, including research organizations, universities, national authorities, non-governmental organizations from ten EU countries.
More information can be found on the link: https://goo.gl/BAqQHx
*Research is still in progress, therefore results may be altered
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