Ten out of 25 EU countries restrict health care for asylum seekers to emergencies only

Almost half of the European Union's countries restrict health care for asylum seekers to emergencies only, a study comparing health care in 25 countries has shown. Medical screening also varies widely between the countries, with little more than half providing mental health screening, say researchers.

“European health policy makers should ensure access to health care for asylum seekers comparable with the medical rights of citizens,” said Marie Norredam and colleagues from the University of Copenhagen in the European Journal of Public Health (17 Oct 2005, doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cki191).“The provision of health care for asylum seekers in the EU countries appears heterogeneous and often based on minimum standards.”

The United Kingdom …