Access of Roma to health care

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Roma as Greek citizens are entitled to free health care service without any discrimation against them. However their integration in the social security system is very low. Studies show that Roma ignore many of their rights in relation to health care and they have low levels of trust towards the health system.

According to a survey conducted by "Efxini Poli" the main reasons that lead Roma not to visit primary health care settings are: distrust towards health services, the unfriendly reception at the healh services, and the ignorance of their own social rights.

The same survey also shows that only a small proportion of Roma women undergoes prenatal health check. Moreover, only 60% of the interrogated women knew what PAP test is and only 10% have had a mammography at least once.

Source: National Report on Social Exclusion and Migrant Health, Apostolis Kapsalis, 2003

What is being brought up as a serious problem that creates difficulty in the access of members of the Roma community to the national health system is the low levels of social insurance coverage.

With regards to the relationship of Roma with the personel at the health services, while discriminating attitudes have not totally the situation has been improving.

Moreover, in the last years some progress has been made in terms of preventive services being offered to the Roma population, while it remains difficult to access the mobile parts of the population

Source: Marina Tsafou,(2007) "Difficulties of access to health care services encountered by Roma ", 6th National Roundtable : "Problems of discrimination in the employment, health care and social welfare sectors", Wednesday 12 December 2007, Antigone Network