Access to health care: A fundamental right not respected in Europe

The HUMA network is publishing a first comparative inventory of the legislations in 10 European countries on access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.

“Access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in 10 EU countries. Law and practice”.

 

This first report of the HUMA network seeks to provide an updated overview of the different systems regulating access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in ten Member States (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK) and shows the existing discriminations in regards to legal entitlements.

 

This research has corroborated that the right to health is guaranteed neither for undocumented migrants nor for asylum seekers in the EU. In none of those countries undocumented migrants can access “the highest attainable level of physical and mental care,” as it is recognised by the main international human rights instruments.

 

This report will be completed in 2010.

 

In parallel, two years after the first European survey, Médecins du Monde is publishing the second report of the European Observatory on access to health care. This new survey, based on 1 218 interviews in 11 countries, bears witness to living conditions, state of health and access to health care of the poorest and most discriminated against people: the undocumented migrants. This includes the most vulnerable groups: pregnant women and children. Is there a penalty for survival in Europe?

 

One demand: The respect of the right to access health care in Europe

MDM calls for equal access to preventive health care and treatment for everyone living in Europe, without any discrimination on the basis of immigration status or financial means. Health policy must not be subject to immigration policy.

 

Specifically MdM calls for:

  • Safeguard medical confidentiality with a strict ban on reporting anyone to the authorities or arresting undocumented migrants when they access health services.
  • The immediate implementation of specific safeguards by each EU Member State to enable access to preventive health care and treatment and appropriate prenatal monitoring for all pregnant women and children.
  • The protection of seriously ill foreign nationals who cannot effectively access treatment in their country of origin. Such individuals should not be deported and must be granted a residence permit.

 

A call to the newly elected European MEPs

MDM launches a call to the European MEPs so that they commit themselves to vote for the adoption of a resolution reaffirming the need of an equal access to health care for all, including undocumented migrants and asylum seekers. The call will be available shortly on this website.

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