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

Abstract

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.