Living conditions, health status and problems in accessing health care for undocumented migrants and their children

Second report of MdM European Observatory on access to health care in 11 European countries

The Medecins du Monde European Observatory on Access to Health Care conducts, since 2005, surveys among the individuals seen by the different MdM associations, in particular the undocumented migrants who represent a large majority of the precarious people seeking MdM services. It points out the social health inequalities and the difficulties of access to health care in Europe.

In September 2009, the Observatory published its second report. It emphasises that undocumented migrants have not come to Europe to get medical treatment. Their living conditions are precarious and they have either none or no adequate medical follow-up.

 

This last report, based on 1'218 interviews made in 11 countries, shows that:

  • the violence that undocumented migrants have experiencedbefore, during or after their migration - combined with the conditionsin which they live and work - are seriously damaging to their health.
  • they face many obstacles in accessing healthcare, prevention andhealthcare coverage.
  • these obstacles arise from restrictive laws, a lack of information,administrative barriers and discriminatory practices.
  • as a result, their medical care is largely inadequate. 45% of healthproblems were not treated at all.
  • there is not even any special protection to ensure that the mostvulnerable—namely pregnant women and children—are able toaccess healthcare. Only 48% of pregnant women received ante-natalmonitoring during their pregnancies.

Contact    |   Credits    |   Rss