Legislation in Cyprus (combination of four different systems)
Contrary to the situation in the other studied countries, entitlements to access health care for authorised migrant workers in Cyprus vary according to their professional sector and can be rather minimal. For instance, women domestic workers must contribute 50% of the cost of their private medical insurance and are not even covered for gynaecological and delivery care.
Asylum seekers can access free of charge emergency care and necessary treatment only if living in a reception centre, receiving welfare benefits, demonstrating a proven lack of sufficient resources or belonging to a vulnerable group. The rest will have to pay the full cost of services. The term "necessary" is generally interpreted in a broad sense as to include primary and secondary care, medicines and treatment of serious infectious diseases such as HIV. According to the legislation, "vulnerable groups" include minors, persons with special needs, the elderly, pregnant women and victims of different types of violence and are also entitled to access free of charge "other care under any circumstances". There are no legal provisions referring to undocumented migrants' entitlements to access health care in Cyprus.
There are only some ministerial circulars stating that any person can access emergency care free of charge as long as he or she does not need hospitalisation. Besides this, the only care theoretically provided free of charge to undocumented migrants (adults and children) is the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and other infectious diseases.
Download the Comparative overview of the legislation on access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in 16 countries (in English).
Asylum seeker dies after benefits cut
01/10/2010
A DIABETIC Congolese asylum seeker died in his Nicosia hostel room after it emerged welfare services had cut his benefits denying him vital regular meals.
His tragic death comes after a five and half year struggle for refugee status, which has exposed numerous shortcomings and even possible discrimination in the asylum and welfare system. After leaving behind a wife and children in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, he arrived in Cyprus through the north in April 2005 and immediately sought asylum at Paphos Gate Police station in Nicosia. Apparently, policemen refused to process his application on several occasions. For most migrants who are escaping persecution, this rejection means remaining illegal and facing deportation if found trying to earn money. In this case however, this rejection could have been fatal because without asylum seeker status, he could not obtain insulin to treat his diabetes. Unfortunately, after having gained asylum seeker status in May 2005, he remained in this limbo state for several years while authorities dawdled on his application.
Source :
- Cyprus Mail
