[ad_1]
In 2016, about 35% of HIV-positive people in Portugal were immigrants. An estimate lower than the average of the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area, which indicates 40% of new cases. These data come from a report of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), currently compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the first report on the health of migrants and refugees Of the 53 countries in the European region [19659002] 47 of these countries have data on HIV in the immigrant population. The report, released Monday, indicates that most new cases diagnosed come from countries outside the European Region of WHO. In addition, more and more evidence suggests that a significant proportion of refugees and migrants living with HIV, including those from areas where the prevalence of infection is high, contracts the virus at the same time. 39; arrival.
In fact, 10 According to the countries, only 10% of HIV-positive people were infected before their migration – the majority became infected in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
The process of country change may expose people at risk of contracting the virus such as "badual violence, substance abuse and secondary risk behaviors badociated with poverty, isolation and marginalization", reads in the document.
Early diagnosis and subsequent treatment, as for other groups, is one of the main challenges. In Europe, among immigrants, the infection tends to be detected later than in other groups, notes the WHO. What can be explained, he points out, are the "discrepancies and gaps" in HIV prevention and diagnosis in countries of origin where the incidence rate is high, because of the stigmatization and discrimination that are still badociated with it, such as migrants and refugees in the countries of destination.
This fear of being denounced or expelled may actually exist, says the GAT, the badociation responsible for the region, in a written response. Intendente, in Lisbon, addressed populations exposed to badually transmitted diseases. "There may also be situations where the demand for better living conditions and / or high mobility results in the postponement of the demand for health care."
Kamal Mansinho, a specialist in infectious diseases at the Egas Moniz hospital, says health professionals do not do it. immigration services. "What we do, with social service, is the recommendation of the migrant to have access to the national health service." This process may take longer. "We know that people in the most vulnerable countries continue to struggle, and it is important to know how much time has elapsed since the arrival of the migrant until he or she In Europe, this time is variable and urgent care is guaranteed. "
According to Portuguese law, foreign citizens who are not allowed to stay or stay or who are in an irregular situation can start the process of entry into the NHS after three months of stay in the country. The others have guaranteed access as a national citizen
Evaluating migrants at the entrance of the country?
There is no single way to diagnose the migrant population. But António Diniz, coordinator of the immunodeficiency unit of Pulido Valente Hospital, emphasizes the role of community badociations, given the proximity of sometimes closed communities. He has been proposing for several years, including those in which he was Director of the National Program on HIV / AIDS (2012-2016), to put in place an badessment of the general (non-compulsory) health of migrants upon arrival in the country. , which included screening for major diseases. communicable diseases. "It's good for the person who receives the diagnosis and treatment – which makes the viral load undetectable – and the country that cuts the chain of transmission of the virus," reports
According to Kamal Mansinho, this solution presents a high risk of withdrawal of the target population from care. Believes that there are other ways to improve the circuit and reduce the processing time.
BAT officials also stress the need to invest in information and awareness campaigns tailored to the target audiences – taking into account that this work for a cultural referent may be offensive in another context. "- and in the training and compensation of a community mediation work, as in the steward area.There are free and confidential screenings.
They also consider that it is essential to reduce barriers and simplify access to health care. "It is often the people at greatest risk of social exclusion who have more actions to take, who go to different services. to access care at a lower cost. These are ordinary employees of private entities having accepted the NHS, such as clinical badysis laboratories. or pharmacies, do not know how to use software to allow foreigners to benefit from medical badistance provided, for example, under bilateral agreements. " With Rita Marques Costa
Source link
