Vandaag publiceert de FRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) in samenwerking met het internationale netwerk van Dokters van de Wereld het onderzoeksrapport "The cost of exclusion from healthcare – the case of migrants in an irregular situation." Het rapport vandaag wordt aangeboden aan de Europese autoriteiten met onderstaande begeleidende brief. Hoewel de resultaten met enige voorzichtigheid geïnterpreteerd dienen te worden, suggereren de uitkomsten dat structurele toegang tot preventieve gezondheidszorg voor ongedocumenteerde migranten, kostenbesparend is voor zorgsystemen in het land van verblijf. Wanneer men uitgaat van een model waarbij mensen alleen geholpen worden wanneer een medische noodsituatie ontstaat, brengt men hier niet alleen het leven van de patiënt in gevaar, maar ook de kosten zijn substantieel hoger dan wanneer de patiënt toegang zou hebben gehad tot (preventieve) gezondheidszorg. Hieronder de brief welke vandaag verstuurd wordt.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I’m writing you to inform you that today, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes its report The cost of exclusion from healthcare – the case of migrants in an irregular situation.

FRA’s research suggests that Member States would spend less on migrant health by treating them earlier, rather than waiting until they require emergency treatment.

Using economic analysis based on a decision tree model to compare the expenditure necessary for timely access to screening and medical care for irregular migrants with the cost of emergency treatment, the research examined the situation in Germany, Greece and Sweden for two of the most common healthcare issues in the EU: hypertension and prenatal care. Based on available data, Providing regular healthcare to hypertensive patients could

generate savings of approximately 9% over the space of one year, rising to 13% after five years and 16% over a lifetimehelp prevent more than 300 strokes and more than 200 heart attacks per 1,000 migrants in each country

Improved prenatal care could generate savings over the space of two years of

up to 48% in Germany and Greeceas much as 69% in Sweden

As documented by FRA’s 2011 report on access to healthcare for migrants in an irregular situation, there are substantial differences in the healthcare provided to irregular migrants around the EU. With many countries reducing their social welfare spending in the wake of the financial crisis, FRA’s findings are particularly relevant as they show that economic justifications back up the case for fundamental rights and Member States’ obligations under international human rights law. Together, these form a powerful argument to improve healthcare provision for irregular migrants throughout the EU.

Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the FRA experts addressed in this email: Ludovica.banfi@fra.europa.eu ; Adriano.Silvestri@fra.europa.eu ;

We look forward to continued fruitful cooperation with you in the future.

Best regards,

Blanca TAPIA

FRA Spokesperson@BlancaTapiaC"