Ukraine’s Ailing Refugees Left in Limbo: The Unfulfilled Promise of Treatment

Thousands of sick refugees from Ukraine are being denied treatment in Europe, according to a new report by Doctors Without Borders. The report found that refugees are being turned away from hospitals and clinics, even for urgent care.

The report is based on interviews with refugees and healthcare providers in several European countries. Doctors Without Borders found that refugees are being denied treatment for a variety of reasons, including lack of documentation, language barriers, and discrimination.

One refugee interviewed for the report said she was denied treatment for cancer because she did not have her medical records with her. Another refugee said she was turned away from a hospital emergency room because she did not speak English.

The report also found that refugees are often being treated in substandard conditions. One refugee said she was treated for a broken leg in a hospital that had no running water. Another refugee said she was treated for pneumonia in a clinic that was overcrowded and dirty.

The report’s findings are deeply concerning. Refugees fleeing war and violence deserve to have access to quality healthcare. Denying them treatment is a violation of their human rights.

What can be done to address this problem?

There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of refugees being denied treatment in Europe. These include:

Making it easier for refugees to access healthcare. This could involve providing them with documentation, translating medical records, and providing language assistance.
Ensuring that refugees are treated in quality facilities. This could involve providing funding for hospitals and clinics that serve refugees.

Combating discrimination against refugees in the healthcare system. This could involve training healthcare providers on cultural sensitivity and providing them with resources to help them communicate with refugees.

It is important to remember that refugees are people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence, or persecution. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and they deserve to have access to quality healthcare.

In the words of Doctors Without Borders, “The treatment is owed.”