Poland: The availability of medical treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients; whether Roma MS patients have access to medical treatment (January 2003 - October 2004)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 15 October 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | POL42989.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Poland: The availability of medical treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients; whether Roma MS patients have access to medical treatment (January 2003 - October 2004), 15 October 2004, POL42989.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df61612.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Although there exist numerous non-governmental organizations throughout Poland for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) (see Multiple Sclerosis Society of Poland n.d.), information on the availability of medical treatment for persons with MS and on whether Roma suffering from MS have access to medical treatment was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
According to information obtained by the Research Directorate from the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) in Warsaw, "[h]ealth care and treatment is generally available to patients suffering from multiple sclerosis" in Poland although the Foundation was not aware of the extent or nature of the care and treatment that is available (29 Sept. 2004). Further, the Foundation noted that medical treatment for MS is publicly funded if the patient is insured under the National Health Fund and although the situation of Roma MS patients in regards to accessing medical care and treatment is unknown, "[t]he problem may be that some [Roma] are not insured and therefore have to pay for the treatment [on] their own" (HFHR 29 Sept. 2004).
Additional and corroborating information on the availability of medical treatment for persons with MS and on whether Roma suffering from MS have access to medical treatment could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
It is relevant to indicate that in August 2003, the Polish government adopted a national program for Roma, with the period of implementation spanning 2004 through 2013 (PAP 19 Aug. 2003). The priority of the program during the first year of implementation is education, although it also includes "the improvement of ... access of Roma to ... health service[s]" (ibid. 7 Apr. 2004).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Helsinki Foundation of Human Rights, Warsaw. 29 September 2004. Correspondence.
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Poland. n.d. "Wykaz adresowy organizacji SM-owskich w Polsce wspólpracujacych z PTSR."
Polska Agencja Prasowa (PAP). 7 April 2004. "Disbursal of Subsidies for Polish Government Roma Programme Reduced by Half." (FBIS-EEU-2004-0407 8 Apr. 2004/WNC)
_____. 19 August 2003. "Polish Government Approves Draft Programme for Roma People." (FBIS-EEU-2003-0819 20 Aug. 2003/WNC)
Additional Sources Consulted
The Bureau of Patient's Rights of the Ministry of Health, in Warsaw, did not respond to a letter requesting information.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Poland, in Warsaw, did not respond to a letter requesting information.
The World Health Organization (WHO) office, in Warsaw, did not respond to a letter requesting information.
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), BBC, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), European Roma Rights Center (ERRC), Freedom in the World 2004, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF-HR), Ministry of Health (Warsaw, Poland), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), ReliefWeb, Warsaw Voice, World Health Organization (WHO).
