Ukrainian refugees and migrant health

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, early-stage researcher (ESRs), medical writer and specialist at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia. She is affiliated to the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writers and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

The ongoing crisis in Ukraine have led to large-scale displacement, with many individuals forced to flee their homes in search of safety, which has resulted in a significant number of Ukrainian refugees seeking asylum in neighbouring countries, particularly in the European Union (EU). While the refugees’ physical safety is often the primary concern, it is also essential to consider their health needs and ensure that they have access to healthcare services. This article explores the health rights of Ukrainian refugees and the challenges they face in accessing healthcare.

Since 2014, Ukraine has been embroiled in a conflict that has resulted in the displacement of approximately close to two million people. Most of the refugees have fled to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Romania. Many of these countries have struggled to cope with the influx of refugees, and this has resulted in significant challenges in terms of healthcare provision in systems that were barely handling the needs of the citizens beforehand.

The right to health is a fundamental human right that is enshrined in international law. This includes the right to access healthcare services without discrimination, the right to receive medical treatment without incurring financial hardship, and the right to participate in decisions relating to one’s healthcare. These rights are particularly important for refugees, who often face significant health challenges because of their displacement.

Ukrainian refugees face several challenges in accessing healthcare, including language barriers, lack of documentation, and limited financial resources. Language barriers can be particularly challenging, as refugees may not speak the language of the host country. This can make it difficult for them to access healthcare services, as they may not understand the information provided to them or be able to communicate their health needs effectively.

Lack of documentation is another significant challenge faced by refugees. Many refugees have lost their identification papers or are unable to obtain new ones, which can make it challenging to access healthcare services. Without proper documentation, refugees may not be able to register with healthcare providers or access essential medicines.

Limited financial resources are also a significant barrier to healthcare access for refugees. Many refugees have limited financial resources and may not be able to afford healthcare services. This can lead to delayed or inadequate healthcare, which can have significant health consequences.

To address the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in accessing healthcare, several recommendations can be made. First, it is essential to ensure that refugees have access to interpretation services to overcome language barriers. This can include providing interpreters or translation services at healthcare facilities.

Second, it is essential to develop policies that recognize the unique health needs of refugees and ensure that they have access to healthcare services. This can include providing healthcare services specifically for refugees or developing policies that make it easier for refugees to access healthcare services.

Third, it is essential to ensure that refugees have access to documentation. This can include providing documentation services or working with the relevant authorities to ensure that refugees can obtain the necessary documents to access healthcare services.

Fourth, it is essential to ensure that healthcare services are affordable and accessible for refugees. This can include providing free or low-cost healthcare services or developing policies that make it easier for refugees to access healthcare services.

Ukrainian refugees face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services, including language barriers, lack of documentation, and limited financial resources. To ensure that refugees have access to healthcare services and their health rights are respected, it is essential to develop policies that recognize the unique health needs of refugees and ensure that they have access to healthcare services. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to the healthcare services they need to stay healthy and well.

About the author

Sadia Khalid, early-stage researcher (ESRs), medical writer and specialist at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia. She has been working on her PhD research project  “The role of Helicobacter pylori intestinal microbiota in the development of liver diseases. under supervision of Dr. Pirjo Spuul at Faculty of Science, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology.,TalTech. Her current research interests include Molecular Medicine, cell biology, infectious diseases, bacteriology, hepatology, and gastroenterology.