07/01/08

SOUTH AFRICA:  Refugees Denied Access to Health Care

Refugees and immigrants are often unable to access health care in South Africa, and the widespread problem is especially perilous for HIV/AIDS patients, non-governmental groups say.

"Displacement carries huge risks for people with chronic illnesses not being able to access the medication they need," said Nathan Geffen, spokesperson for the AIDS group Treatment Action Campaign. "Disruption of treatment can cause the viral load to go up and CD4 count to go down over a reasonably short period of time."

Since 1998, refugees have been legally entitled to the same health care as South African citizens. Yet foreign nationals have been refused treatment in clinics by nurses and doctors unaware of the law, said Gloria Peutras of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "Our staff has reported cases where health workers displayed xenophobic attitudes and preferred to give treatment to South Africans only," she said.

Often, Doctors Without Borders staff "will have to accompany refugees to clinics to ensure they are given medical attention," said DWB Program Director Jonathan Whittall.

"Currently in South Africa, refugees' constitutional rights to health care, food, and shelter are compromised," Geffen said. "Thousands live crowded together with very little space. The risk of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases is acute."

"There is no targeted information on HIV and AIDS in multiple languages available in South Africa," said Whittall. "Lack of access to condoms further exposes migrants to HIV infection." "The first step government needs to take is making sure that all refugees get legal status and stop deportation so that they can fearlessly seek help," he said. "We also need standardized treatment protocols within the entire Southern African Development Community region so that there are comprehensive guidelines on treatment of refugees that fit within the South African national treatment plan."

Source: Inter Press Service:: Kristin Palitza; Courtesy of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention