Access to Health Care by Foreign Children with Special Needs in an International Border Municipality

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to analyze access to health by foreign children with special needs in an international border municipality. Grounded on hermeneutics-dialectics, this research was conducted through in-depth interviews with 26 professionals who treat foreign children with special health care needs and thematic analysis for data analysis was adopted. One central theme emerged: Vulnerability of foreign children and the health access in a border area Brazil-Argentina-Paraguay, organized by six sub-themes. High demand of children, overload in the health services, problems with documentation and language, insufficient articulation between the countries, and lack of funding represent restrictions for the access, especially in the fields of promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.