On February 18th 2015 Doctors of the World – Médecins du Monde Greece (MdM) conducted an assessment mission at the Detention Center for undocumented third-country nationals and the Detention Center for Unaccompanied Minors in Amygdaleza. The team of MdM visited the aforementioned centers upon invitation of the competent Ministry, in order to assess the health status of the detained third-country nationals. Furthermore, Doctors of the World – Médecins du Monde Greece delivered medical supplies and were guided at the centers’ premises by its administrative staff.
The team, which consisted of medical doctors, social workers and administrative personnel, remained in the area until late afternoon and worked in collaboration with the social workers and the psychologists of the centers, mainly focusing on detained unaccompanied minors. Following the medical and social screening, as well as having witnessed the living conditions of the detained third-country nationals in the detention centers, MdM – Greece note that the detained third-country nationals face major welfare problems. There are several shortages and insufficiencies such as unsanitary facilities, lack of sanitary equipment, clothing and footwear, poor heating and nutrition, lack of healthcare within the detention facilities, among others.
It is worth mentioning that the detainees did not seem to have been tested for any infectious diseases, while the majority of the examined third-country nationals were found suffering from the so-called “refugee disease” (cumulative health problems directly related to living conditions – mainly gastrointestinal, respiratory and dermatological problems). At the same time, symptoms of depression were also observed. The overall conditions that the detainees have to face, along with the uncertainty concerning their future, due to their unjustified incarceration (the majority of the cases) and the insecurity as per the duration of their detention, have significantly affected their psychology.
MdM – Greece, faithful to the principle of social solidarity and the commitment to the Hippocratic Oath, will continue to visit the premises of Amygdaleza, in order to substantially contribute towards the urging need of an immediate solution, as well as to fulfill their constitutive role of recording and bearing witness of major issues concerning human rights. However, MdM – Greece perceive the need for direct government intervention and for a definitive solution of the issue, in a way that will ensure the freedom of the detainees as well as their unhindered access to basic human rights such as housing, healthcare, labor etc.