Healthcare of Undocumented Migrants

Abstract

AbstractFinnish authorities provide undocumented migrants with at least emergency healthcare services, but very few (if any) undocumented migrants use these or other public healthcare services. There are challenges to accessing healthcare, including language, culture or communication, inadequate information, difficult opening times, lack of specialised services, fear of using such services, and lack of networks relating to social and healthcare services. The provision of wider healthcare services and prevention of illnesses is actually less expensive for countries than providing undocumented migrants with only emergency healthcare.This chapter discusses the undocumented migrants’ access to healthcare and their use of healthcare services. The Constitution of Finland guarantees emergency healthcare services for everyone staying in Finland, including undocumented migrants; however, the actual provision of healthcare (emergency or otherwise) for undocumented migrants varies greatly among local municipalities. Furthermore, few migrants use these available services. The majority turn to unofficial services, with some risk for themselves and the local community. The chapter highlights issues regarding the mental and physical health of undocumented migrants, who often suffer from trauma, which is not properly treated. It also discusses the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on undocumented migrants in Finland.