Access to medical assistance for asylum-seekers

Contact details

Submitted by: Davit Kaikatsishvili – Head of IDPs and Ecomigrants Policy Division of Policy Department, Ministry of IDPs from the occupied territories, labour, health and social affairs of Georgia (MoLHSA)

Email: [email protected]

Website: moh.gov.ge/en/

Social: @MOHgovge

Introduction to the project 

Country

Georgia/Eastern Europe

Duration

The project started in 2013.

Description

The project is about including asylum seekers and international protection holders to the State Universal Healthcare Program. The healthcare package provided to them is similar to the one that is offered to Georgian citizens, subject to several exceptions. Minor asylum seekers are offered a more comprehensive package.

Main activities of the Good Practice

The healthcare package provided for asylum seekers and international protection holders covers 19 services, including main emergency needs, such as hospitalization expenditures of stationary and ambulatory treatment.

Partners

• MIA
• Medical facilities

Challenges and how they were overcome

In some cases asylum seekers or international protection holders are not aware of the accessible services. In order to overcome this challenge, the information regarding the healthcare programs is simultaneously provided during the Status determination procedure, in Reception center and as per component of awareness raising informational campaigns.

Results of the Good Practice 

Asylum seekers and international protection holders benefit from the State Universal Healthcare Program. The accessibility of the program to the asylum seekers guarantees, that healthcare assistance is duly provided during the asylum procedure as well as the subsequent qualification for international protection.