COVID-19 barriers and response strategies for refugees and undocumented migrants in Turkey
Highlights
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Precise data on the numbers of refugees and undocumented migrants with COVID-19 in Turkey is unavailable.
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Refugees and undocumented migrants in Turkey were granted access to COVID-19 testing and treatment.
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The health response for refugees in Turkey is led by the Turkish government with support from local authorities, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community organizations.
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Cities play an important role in determining how refugees and undocumented migrants in Turkey access health services.
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Refugees and undocumented migrants face increasing out-of-pocket health care expenditure which affects their access to health care.
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Language is one of the major barriers to accessing health care services for refugees and undocumented migrants with COVID-19 in Turkey.
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Health information in Arabic distributed through leaflets, media and mobile phone communication have been key measures to address language barriers.
Abstract
Introduction
With more than 40 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, the pandemic is continuing to severely challenge health systems around the world. Countries with high numbers of refugees face an additional burden on COVID-19 preventive and curative services made available and accessible to refugees. Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees globally, with a total of 4 million in 2020. Over 98% of refugees in Turkey reside in urban areas in large, crowded cities such as Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Hatay posing severe challenges for all health responses, including COVID-19. This study provides insights and analysis on the current situation for refugees, migrants under temporary protection and undocumented migrants in Turkey by focusing on the right to health and access to health care under pandemic conditions. Its main aim is to discuss the challenges and opportunities for COVID-19 responses relating to refugees, migrants under temporary protection and undocumented migrants in Turkey.
Methods
This is a non- systematic and exploratory literature review from academic and grey sources. We reviewed published documents, meeting summaries, media reports/news and policy briefs in Turkish and English on the COVID-19 response in Turkey.
Results
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has taken various steps to provide health care for all residents. However, several challenges arise when providing health care to refugees, migrants under temporary protection and other undocumented migrants including language barrier in accessing reliable information and access to health services for existing chronic conditions.
Conclusion
While refugees, migrants under temporary protection and undocumented migrants have been granted access to services for COVID-19 related health problems, social and cultural barriers remain beyond the current legislation. Solidarity and whole-of-society inclusive approaches should always be the guiding principles in the COVID-19 response.