Throughout all of Europe, undocumented workers, migrants, refugees and others attempt to carve out a life. Many make the treacherous journey to seek a job to send money back home. But if you get sick…hope for the best.
So can it be true? Sweden? That wonderful Scandinavian country where everyone is healthy, wealthy, and attractive? Where last year they accepted half of all Europe’s asylum seekers? Where the contribution to global development aid far surpasses most of Europe’s and the Untied States? (Sweden contributes 1% of its GDP to aid while the US contributes 0.16%).
According to a study launched yesterday by Medicines du Monde, Sweden refuses to provide free basic health care services to undocumented migrants. This (“free”) probably does not come as a shock for most Americans.
But in Europe, access to health care is considered a human right – not conditioned on crazy private health insurance schemes. Sweden’s health care system is based on the principles of equality and free choice in health care and covers the whole population. This system allows nationals and the majority of authorised residents access to ALL medical services except for – non medically recommended plastic surgery.
A person’s contribution toward ALL medical expenses cannot exceed 96.5 euros over a 12-month period. Children below 18 are exempt from this charge as are women in need of ante and post natal care, screening and treatment of infectious diseases (including HIV), cellular screening, home hospital care help, and family planning.
What a great system!
However, some Swedish county councils do offer very limited free health care access to undocumented workers. In Stockholm, for example, allows access to pre-natal care to undocumented pregnant women. But what happens when she gives birth? An infant is extremely vulnerable and requires medical check-ups. Catching something early on means the child has a better chance of a healthy life. But denying children, born in Sweden to undocumented migrants, free access is a violation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Every child is entitled to special care and assistance under this convention, regardless of socioeconomic conditions.
Instead, undocumented migrants and rejected asylum seekers have to pay the full fee. Most cannot. So children are left to suffer at the expense of non-existing legislation. .
