As part of the implementation of the next stage of the project “Support for the Network of Roma Medico-Social Mediators,” carried out with the support of the “Vidrodzhennya” International Charity Foundation, the working group of the NGO “Chirikli” continues to publish distressing stories about cases of discrimination in Roma’s access to medical services. Today, these stories will be shared by mediators from Odessa, Zakarpattia, and Uzhhorod.
Let’s begin with Uzhhorod. The story was shared by mediator Natalia Kovalchuk.
The incident occurred in September. A 28-year-old woman reported that after giving birth, she was discharged from the hospital, but her baby was not released to her. The doctors explained to her that all Roma are tuberculosis carriers and contagious, and the child would become infected in the camp. They told her that if she moves to a different location, brings a proof of residence, then they would give her the child back. Roma women say that sometimes children are kept for up to a month and are not returned.
Undoubtedly, this is deeply offensive for Roma individuals. According to representatives of the Roma community, such incidents have occurred repeatedly, but they are afraid to speak out about them.
Here is what a mediator from Berehove, Zakarpattia region, Olena Rovzha, told us:
A recent incident took place. A Roma man ate mushrooms, after which he felt unwell in the evening. He and his wife went to the hospital. There, he received an intravenous injection, his stomach was flushed, and they were told that the next day he should visit his local doctor in the polyclinic.
In the morning, they went to the polyclinic. They entered the office of one doctor, but he was not examined there. They were told that there is no longer a local doctor in the camp; he is now a family doctor, and they were redirected to another doctor. When they entered the second office, they were asked, “What do you want?” The man replied, “We were sent here because yesterday I ate mushrooms and felt unwell, and in the hospital, they told me to come to the polyclinic in the morning.” The doctor asked, “Why did you come here? What do you want us to do?” The Roma man said, “I don’t know, we were sent here.”
They wandered through the offices until noon, and no one examined the patient. Eventually, the man and his wife went home. On their way, they stopped by Olena Rovzha’s workplace and asked if it was true that there was no local doctor in the camp. She confirmed that all doctors are now family doctors. But they were supposed to examine you – any doctor! Since Olena is a mediator, she offered to go back with them and handle the situation, but the couple refused this futile effort.
The story had such an ending: the man felt slightly better later that evening after receiving the injection and stomach flushing. Over time, the Roma man, who had an unfortunate experience with the local doctor, fully recovered.
Why did the doctors at the polyclinic behave this way? It’s hard to say. Maybe because the man was of Roma nationality or for some other reason. But one thing is clear – such situations cannot be considered normal, and they should be brought to light and addressed appropriately.
The next case is not related to discrimination against Roma in accessing medical services. However, we decided to highlight it due to its outrageous nature. After all, the “source of discrimination” in this case is someone who should be protecting human rights – a representative of the law enforcement system.
Mediator Maksym Dzhum reports from Odessa. A Roma woman, who was released from prison, could not retrieve her passport. When she was taken into custody, an investigator took her document. After her release under the Savchenko Law, she asked the investigator to return her passport, but she was rudely refused. The female investigator stated that she moved to a different office and would not bother searching for a document for a Roma woman from prison. She added that the Roma woman should be grateful for being released from prison.
Undoubtedly, both mediators and lawyers working in Odessa will take all necessary measures to help this Roma woman. We will keep the public informed about the results of their efforts.
