Access to Healthcare Services and Essential Medicines in GREEK Migrant Camps: an Online Cross-Sectional Study

During the last years, Greece has become the entry point of a high number of migrants and asylum seekers. The aim of this study was to assess the access to selected fields of primary healthcare, to emergency medical care, secondary healthcare and essential medicines among populations living in reception, temporary accommodation, and detention centres (migrant camps) in Greece. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted based on a self-administered questionnaire. Participants included indviduals working or volunteering in migrant camps in Greece. 64 individuals participated in this study. The most common health problem among people residing in migrant camps was mental health conditions. The access to each field of primary healthcare was assessed as minimum to non-existent by most of the participants. 47.2% assessed the access to emergency medical care as minimum/non-satisfactory, while 60.8% assessed the access to secondary healthcare as minimum to non-existent. Most participants assessed the access to all the medicines categories as minimum or moderate. Access to both primary and secondary health was given a lower grade in the East-Aegean islands compared to the mainland. Major health inequalities among populations residing in Greek migrant camps were highlighted in this study. A change in the current migration policies of Greece and the European Union is urgently needed.

A retrospective review of specialist referrals for refugees into Greece's health system: A humanitarian organization's perspective

AIM

Refugee arrivals to Europe have numbered more than one million since 2015 with the majority arriving through Greece. The healthcare needs of refugees have placed strains on Greece's healthcare system which has already been affected by its ongoing economic crisis. At the peak of arrivals during 2016, primary healthcare was primarily provided by humanitarian organizations with specialist referrals into the Greek healthcare system. There is little published literature on the type and impacts of specialist referrals for refugees in Greece. The aim of this retrospective review is to identify the type and impacts of specialist referrals for refugees into Greece's health system.

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed the number and type of specialty referrals from one humanitarian organization providing primary healthcare for refugees in Greece. All consultations during an 8-month period (December 1, 2016-July 31, 2017) were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 4168 consultations, 42% were patients aged 17 years or younger, 52% were male, and 90% were Syrian. Two hundred and thirty-three patients (11%) required a specialist referral; 25% were for dental (provided by another humanitarian organization), 10% each for obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics, and 8% for ophthalmology. Respiratory complaints were most frequently seen, and these were more predominant in the winter months. Pediatric consultations varied according to month, likely due to population movements.

CONCLUSION

Dentistry was noted to be a gap in humanitarian response programming and accounted for the greatest need for specialist input with referrals for women and children accounting for a large proportion of referrals.