Systemic Discrimination Against Migrants in South Africa's Health Care System

South African health care professionals have been implicated in denying health care and treatment to thousands of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants, despite the country's law and policy stating that these individuals have a right to care. Harassment, lack of documentation, and the credible fear of deportation prevent many newcomers from seeking medical treatment. Those who do seek treatment are often mistreated and verbally abused by health care workers, and are denied care or charged unlawful fees. The situation threatens to further strain South Africa's already stretched health system.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 100 migrants, health care workers, and advocates were interviewed by Human Rights Watch to produce a report on the systemic discrimination faced by migrants in South Africa's health care system.
• Migrants who lack documentation, basic information, and financial resources face significant barriers in accessing health care, including being required to file police reports before receiving emergency medical treatment.
• Health care workers repeatedly violated the provision of the South African Department of Health that affirms the rights of asylum seekers and refugees to obtain care, and discriminated against patients on the basis of their nationality or lack of proper documentation.
• The delayed, interrupted, or denied treatment of migrant health threatens to further strain South Africa's already stretched health system, leading to increased risk of infectious disease transmission, interruption of treatment for chronic illness, and inadequate nutrition.
• The report recommends four categories of reforms to improve the situation, including protection from deportation, protection from attacks, protection from discrimination, and better information.
• Testimony from refugees and asylum seekers reveals a culture of xenophobia and discrimination in South Africa's health care system, with victims reporting being turned away for care, being verbally abused, and being denied treatment.

Statistics:

• Over 100 migrants were interviewed by Human Rights Watch to produce the report.
• 89 pages make up the report, detailing the concerns of migrants in South Africa's health care system.
• The report documented 4 categories of reforms to improve the situation.
• 4 provinces were identified as having xenophobic violence against migrants.
• 100 people in urban centers were placed in temporary shelters that were unsanitary, making them at risk for infectious disease.
• 1 in 5 refugees reported being forced to wait longer than usual for treatment, often due to language barriers and lack of interpreters.

Sources:

• Human Rights Watch/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX
• Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)
• Copyright Human Rights Watch