migration

New evidence on access to healthcare: austerity marginalises Europe’s weakest

On 9 April 2013, EPHA member Medecins du Monde European office (MdM) launched a new report that documents the effects of the economic crisis and rising xenophobia on undocumented migrants and other vulnerable groups at risk of exclusion from healthcare systems. Results show that the consequences of austerity measures are particularly strong in Southern Europe where many undocumented migrants are living in an administrative limbo. They are being joined by increasing numbers of European (...)

Governments should act in the best interest of stateless children

Citizenship is the “right to have rights”. Without citizenship, one lacks not only political rights, but often social and economic rights as well. On a symbolic level, citizenship implies being a full member of a national community, and even further, of humanity. On his statement Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights argues in favour of the protection of stateless children. Key messages The best interest of the child is to have citizenship There should be no (...)

Children and Their Connection with Nature

The working group meeting hosted by MEP Judith Merkies (S&D, NL) and Gerald Häfner (Greens, DE) examined why children’s connection with nature is important and how can it be stimulated. During the Meeting, Tim Gill, British author and public speaker, presented the outcomes of the ’Sowing the Seeds’ project. Previous research has suggested that a child’s contact with nature is particularly important. Natural environments are said to have restorative qualities (...)

Circular migration: Silver bullet or placebo solution?

Debates over circular migration to fill employment gaps in industrialised economies are of particular relevance to the health sector, where demographic change and concurrant increases in chronic diseases and multiple morbidities are driving an ever-greater need for qualified health professionals. However, a fine balance needs to be struck between migrants’ individual aspirations and the impact of their migration decision on health systems already hit by the effects of the crisis and (...)

Time to Act: WHO Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel

The World Health Organisation Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment of Health Personnel was adopted in 2010 by the WHO Member States, including the EU-27 countries. Notably, its monitoring strategy calls on NGOs and other stakeholders to work with the WHO to achieve ‘’meaningful commitment and action’’. The meeting of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Malta on 10-13 September is an opportunity to recall the importance and urgency of (...)

European Commission launches website ahead of Single Market Week

On August 14 the European Commission launched a new website -singlemarket20.eu- to highlight the events being held in the upcoming Single Market Week. Monday 15 October will see the launch of the EU’s Single Market Week, celebrating 20 years of the Single European Market (SEM). Events will be taking place in cities across the 27 EU Member States, aiming to bring together citizens and businesses with Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Council and (...)

Registration open for FEANTSA’s annual conference ‘Existing in Limbo – The conditions of Homeless Migrants in Europe’

FEANTSA, the European Federation of National Organisations Working with Homeless People, and a member of EPHA, is organising its annual conference ‘Existing in Limbo – The conditions of Homeless Migrants in Europe’, on 16th November, in Barcelona, Spain. Registration is now open! Background A growing number of people across Europe are experiencing a housing crisis. Migrants, all too often excluded from society, are amongst the worst affected groups. A large proportion (...)

EPHA Press Release: Spain on brink of failing its most vulnerable via new health law

A law bringing to an end decades-long free and universal health care does not benefit anybody. *** Media release – European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) *** Brussels- May 15th, 2012 This May 17th, the Spanish lower house of parliament is expected to pass (1) a law that will radically change Spanish health coverage leaving millions of its most vulnerable people without health insurance (2). By making essential (...)

Commission unveils Action Plan for Health Workforce

As part of the European Commission Communication ’’Towards a job-rich recovery’’ of 18 April 2012, a Staff Working Document on an Action Plan for the EU Health Workforce has been released. It aims to assist Member States to tackle urgent challenges and sets out actions to foster cooperation and share good practices. The EC Communication ’’Towards a job-rich recovery’’ and the accompanying Commission Staff Working Document on an Action Plan (...)

Access to healthcare for vulnerable groups in the EU in 2012

In their newest report on Access to Healthcare for Vulnerable Groups in the EU, Medicins du Monde provide an overview of the conditions of persons excluded from healthcare systems in the continent. A case for improved situation is made, especially given the consequences of the economic crisis on health and health-related issues. Medecins du Monde Access to Health Care for Vulnerable Groups in the European Union in 2012. The report’s key findings and messages are: poor (...)