Médico do Mundo Portugal held a conference on access to essential health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seeker on December 7.

Read more (in Portuguese).

KISA presented the results of the new HUMA report in Nicosia during an event hosted by the European parliament office in Cyprus. Theses results and recommendations were completed by presentations by a representative from the Ombudsman office, researchers, the president of the ethics committee of the Cypriot medial organisation and PICUM. In particular came out of it that better information of health professionals and migrants about their rights is needed, as well as a sanctuarisation of the health facilities in order to limit (fear of) arrests of migrants. But it was noted that the overall situation in Cyprus is very unfriendly to migrants, and that the awaited change of the health system again postponed.

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The results of the new HUMA report on Malta were presented during a national event organised by Skop on the 18^th of March, in Lavallette. It was also the occasion for other NGO and institutions to present some programmes and preoccupations relative to this, for example a mediation programme of the Ministry of health; the Mare nostrum programme, providing training sessions and delivering primary health services in open centres; the need for more mental support highlighted by the report but also by JRS and an UNHCR representative.

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On 28^th of February, the Association for Legal Intervention (member of the HUMA network in Poland) is organising the symposium "Outside the system. Access to health care for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in Poland" in Warsaw, targeting the Ministry of health, different Ombudsmen, as well as health professionals and NGOs. The report Accessto healthcare and living conditions of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Poland, co-edited with the HUMA network and SIP was also presented.

For more information, visit SIP website.

The conference, held by Médicos del Mundo in February, aimed to remove myths about migration and health as addressed regional initiative to reduce practical barriers to access healthcare

Read more (in Spanish)

The Swedish Government and The Greens have agreed upon expanding the legislation in the area of healthcare for undocumented migrants. At a press conference this morning, the Minister for Social Affairs, Göran Hägglund, announced that the Government's ambition is that every person in Sweden shall have the same rights to healthcare. Parliament is to vote on a government proposal sometime early next year.

At the Doctors of the World UK's conferences in London and Birmingham last week, healthcare professionals were urged to sign a petition to improve access to healthcare for migrants. Delegates heard Dr. Evan Harris, Vice Chair of the Liberal Democrat Policy Committee, propose concrete and practical ways of influencing health policy. They also heard Sara Collantes from HUMA (Health for Undocumented Migrants and Asylum Seekers network) who gave a thorough overview of access to health for migrants in other European countries.

The conference workshops adressed three key issues: 1) What the White Paper means for migrants; 2) How healthcare professionals can influence policy; and 3) How GPs can help reduce barriers to accessing healthcare. As a result of the day's discussions, Doctors of the World UK compiled a list of suggestions for taking the next steps.