Then, at 14.30 a roundtable discussion between persons concerned, members of EU parliament, institutions, NGOs and European platforms of health professionals will take place at the University Foundation of Brussels, rue d’Egmontstraat 11 – 1000 Bruxelles (Troon Metro Station).
Many governments faced with the crisis have cut back on social and health spendings despite the fact that the number of people in need of support and social protection is higher than before the crisis.
More than ever, the European Union needs to ensure full health coverage to people who are already confronted with numerous vulnerability factors.
We will present our findings and main concerns, based on our daily field work in 183 health programs in 11 countries in Europe, with a focus on the situation in Greece.
Key figures from 2011 data in Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Munich and Nice clinics:
• 34% of patients seen at MdM centres perceived their state of health as poor or very poor despite the fact that the mean age of the group is 35
• In cases where treatment was required, 46.2% received no treatment.
• 79% of pregnant women who were asked if they received antenatal care replied that they did not.
We will also present what MdM is seeking:
Our goals include
• to ensure that everyone living in the European Union benefits from equal access to health care coverage, especially for the most vulnerable segments of the population. This includes effective access to prevention, diagnosis and adequate healthcare;
• to obtain changes in European Union policies on measles, HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis, all of which fall within the EU’s mandate, in order to ensure access to treatment; and
• to provide healthcare and protection from deportation for seriously ill undocumented migrants in the EU, who cannot access adequate healthcare in their country of origin, because sending them back to a country where they will not receive adequate care leads to the serious deterioration of their health and, in certain circumstances, death.
Between 4.00 and 4.30 pm, another press briefing will take place with the Doctors of the World’ Presidents, the Members of European Parliament and other stakeholders.