In Europe today, access to health care for all is not a reality. Undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and their children are often left behind. In order to help to make a change, The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) supports the European Declaration of health professionals towards non-discriminatory access to healthcare.

“Doctors have the ethical responsibility to care for patients. It is crucial that they - as well as health institutions-  remain free to provide adequate health care to those who need it, irrespective of the legal status of the patient”, CPME President Dr Radziwill said today.

In 2008, CPME already adopted a position paper calling for Access to health care for undocumented migrants (CPME 2008/109 FINAL). CPME strongly opposed any attempt of authorities to criminalise the provision of health care services to undocumented migrants, as well as any restrictions as to the type and/or extent of healthcare undocumented migrants can receive.

In June 2010, CPME adopted a position paper on Health inequalities (CPME 2010/014 FINAL) that looks at the wide disparities in access to health care between and within EU Member States, as well as violations of the right to health. Given the complexity of the issue and local specificities, CPME has identified priority areas for action both on EU level and on the level of the National Medical Associations.

To support the European Declaration on non-discriminatory access to health care, please sign the declaration on the petition website.

For more information, please contact:

Birgit BEGER
CPME Secretary General
Tel.: +32 2 732 72 02
Fax: +32 2 732 73 44
e-mail: secretariat@cpme.eu

For more information about CPME, consult our website: http://www.cpme.eu