In response to the economic crisis and the rise of xenophobia, Access to healthcare for the most destitute people must be reinforced throughout Europe
Invitation to the press conference in Athens on Friday 21st February – Ionic Center at 12.15 – 11 Lysiou Street, Plaka, Athens
Soaring unemployment rates, rising child poverty, people losing their homes because of insolvency every month… The crisis has generated austerity measures that have had a deep impact on all social safety nets, including healthcare provision. Across Europe, many people have had to deal with increasing financial constraints. Whilst all levels of the population must cope with increasing poverty, we are witnessing a significant increase of women who have no ante natal follow up and children who are not vaccinated. In 2013, MdM realized 9000 vaccinations and supported 445 pregnant women in Greece.
Groups already vulnerable before the crisis are also hit especially hard. In Spain, undocumented migrants and destitute patients with chronic diseases cannot afford healthcare anymore. In Greece, the entire public health system is under enormous pressure. And many other Member States have raised the share of out-of-pocket expenditure for patients. The most destitute are the first victims of these policies.
As health professionals and in accordance with medical ethics, we refuse to exclude anyone because of their administrative status or lack of financial resources. We call for national public health systems built on solidarity, equality and equity, open to all those living in the EU, especially the most destitute persons. We demand equal access for all to national immunization schemes and to pediatric care. We demand that all pregnant women have equal access to pre and post natal care.
All our European reports can be found at http://mdmeuroblog.wordpress.com
Around 2 pm Doctors of the World members coming from Greece, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Spain, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States will demonstrate their solidarity to the destitute populations living in Greece in Monastiraki Square.
Please contact us to confirm your presence at the press conference.
Contact persons :
Mrs Panagiota Fotopoulou : 0030 210 3213150, press@mdmgreece.gr
Mrs Mariantzela Apergi : 0030 210 3213150, info@mdmgreece.gr