On 29 May 2017 IOM Slovenia and the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) organized a round table on health care of migrants and the role of health mediators in Slovenia. The round table was organized in the light of the transitioning to the establishment of the electronic personal health records (E-PHR) piloted within the IOM/EC Re-Health project “Support Member States under particular migratory pressure in their response to health related challenges”. The objective of the round table was to present the achievements of the Re-Health project in Slovenia, address challenges related to the access to health care services by asylum seekers as well as to discuss the role and importance of engaging cultural mediators in the provision of quality and accessible health care services.

The main goals of the project, which is based on the principle of universal and equitable access to health care, was to make use of the established Personal Health Record (PHR) in 4 partner countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia) in order to provide the continuity of health care to affected migrants. Access to health services and quality health care of aslyum seekers was specifically addressed in the framework of the project implementation in Slovenia, which was greatly facilitated through the engagement of health mediators providing support in three departments of the aslyum centre.

In addition to representatives of IOM and the NIPH Ms Petrova-Benedict, Ms Val and Dr Leskovšek, the round table featured founders of two pro bono clinics in Ljubljana, Dr Doplihar and Dr Anakiev, the author of the MIPEX Health chapter Ms Pistotnik and three health mediators, Ms Zoghool, Mr Shadani and Mr Asnabla. The speakers stressed the importance for an increased scope of medical insurance of aslyum seekers in Slovenia and their inclusion in the national primary health care system. While migrants arriving to Europe are mostly young and healthy, their long and strenuous journey as well as living conditions in the countries of destination might impact their overall health and worsen chronic diseases. Lenghty asylum procedures, during which aslyum seekers can only access emergency health care services, were mentioned as also having a psychological impact on patients and their deteriorating overall health. Speakers and guests also discussed suggestions for long-term systemic solutions and reiterated the need for a coordinated approach by all stakeholders.  

The round table was made possible with the co-financing of DG SANTE - CHAFEA.