The work of Roma social-medical mediators

In Ukraine, statistics on illnesses categorized by ethnic affiliation are not maintained. There might be isolated cases, but this information is not widely available. Specific insights regarding the access of the Roma population to medical and social services can only be obtained from reports by Roma social-medical mediators who work within the framework of the project “Improving Access of the Roma Population to Medical Services in the Field of Tuberculosis Control through Roma Medical Mediators,” supported by the Global Fund to Fight Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Health problems are closely linked to the living conditions of the Roma. Many families require assistance in obtaining medical treatment, food, clothing, and footwear for children.

At the beginning of the winter period, at the request of doctors, Roma mediators, along with medical professionals, conducted visits to Roma settlements and families to provide information about preventing the spread of infectious diseases, the necessity of preventive measures, the importance of proper nutrition, vitamin supplementation, and maintaining warmth during the winter.

Meetings were also held with elderly individuals to discuss their problems and identify their needs. A significant number of people require support, assistance with medications, and humanitarian aid.

In certain regions, mobile fluorographic screenings were conducted, which led to the timely detection of certain cancers and other illnesses. Mediators consistently hold meetings with representatives of medical and social services, local and regional councils. Such meetings help address Roma issues, such as passport issuance or registration of permanent residence, among others.

For instance, Roma mediators facilitated the medical examination and consultation of 3738 individuals; 394 individuals were referred for medical treatment; 2042 focus groups were conducted in Roma settlements;

Mediators have identified problems faced by the Roma population in the pilot regions of the project, specifically: the Roma population encounters constant and systematic discrimination in nearly all areas of social life, including access to education, housing services, healthcare, employment, and social services. The following problems remain acute:

• Absence of registration of residence and household records;
• Lack of birth certificates;
• Absence of personal or family housing;
• Lack of education and understanding the importance of documentation for identification;
• Lack of funds for obtaining necessary documents and paying fines.

According to the reports of mediators, around 6000 Roma individuals in three regions require registration, as the lack of registration limits their access to basic social, medical, and educational services.

Since the beginning of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), a significant number of Roma mediators have been engaged in providing assistance to Roma and internally displaced individuals. Thanks to Roma mediators, actions were carried out in regions like Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Odesa, Zaporizhia, and Lviv. Unfortunately, since the start of the crisis in Ukraine, negative attitudes towards national minorities, including the Roma, have intensified. With the efforts of the “Chirikli” Foundation and Roma mediators, warm clothing and food packages were collected for Roma in the ATO zone.

Achievements of the project from the perspective of Roma mediators:

• The majority of medical professionals establish contact and collaborate with Roma mediators. Attitudes toward Roma have improved. Trust has developed towards Roma mediators, doctors, and local authorities.
• Cooperation with educational and social institutions has improved. For example, as a result of the work of Roma mediators in Uzhhorod, School No. 13 opened two primary school classes. Mediators collected information about preschool-age children and worked to motivate parents to provide education. Medical cards were prepared for 66 children who started school this year.
• Collaboration with local authorities has strengthened.
• The Roma community’s attitude towards socio-living conditions is gradually changing.
• The number of Roma individuals without passports and birth certificates has decreased.
• In Mukachevo, 1800 children attended school.
• 12 women were employed in jobs as cleaners.
• Free screenings for Roma were organized in 8 regions of Ukraine.
• A Roma mediator participated in 3 radio broadcasts about Roma mediators, including on a Christian radio station broadcast throughout Europe.
• Every six months, mediators, together with representatives of social services, conduct surveys of household conditions for Roma.
• To engage Roma children, mediators opened a puppet theater and a “School of Kindness” in Dzerzhynsk, Donetsk Oblast.
• During the crisis, mediators facilitated the evacuation of 130 Roma from Luhansk and 300 individuals from Donetsk, provided temporary housing, humanitarian aid, and assisted with re-registration for social support.
• Some mediators collaborate with churches, facilitating summer camps for 50 children.

All mediators acknowledge the significance of the role of Roma mediators at the local level and the recognition of their work by both communities and local authorities.

Local authorities receive more information about the situation of Roma at the local level. Cooperation with Community Social Service Centers (CSSMs) and working groups that include mediators at the municipal administration level helps address many problematic issues.