Our goals
Healthcare must be accessible to all, regardless of residence status. This right is part of every person’s fundamental rights. However, the right to healthcare in Germany is difficult to enforce for illegalized persons, as going to the doctor can quickly end in deportation detention due to the existing legislation on foreigners.
Through our work, we try to bring the situation of uninsured people into the public and political focus and thus alleviate human hardship. Our long-term goal is therefore to abolish special laws for migrants and refugees and to integrate them into standard medical care.
Concrete help
A consultation is held to determine which specialists should provide treatment. On this basis, referrals are made to doctors, therapists, midwives and advice centers. Without their support, adequate medical care would not be possible. Medinetz arranges the relevant appointments. At the first appointment, our clients are always accompanied by a member of our team. We also have interpreters available if there are language barriers. Any costs incurred, e.g. for laboratory tests or medication, are covered by the association if necessary. In some cases, we receive financial support from cooperation partners such as medical laboratories and practices.
In the case of serious and chronic illnesses that require hospital treatment, we try to find a solution together with the attending physicians. However, we often reach our limits here. Another part of our work involves supporting pregnant women. Our internal working group for undocumented pregnant women (SVOP) takes care of the necessary connections for check-ups and childbirth. Our aim is to offer clients an anonymized placement service and to handle all personal data confidentially. We are in contact with counseling centers in order to find a solution to legal and social issues. The aim of counseling is also always the so-called “clearing”, i.e. the placement of the client in a health insurance.