Doctor is awarded for humane treatment of refugees – 08/24/2023 – World

Human rights violations and the problems caused by wars and conflicts have led more than 100 million people to leave their homes globally, according to data from the UNHCR (UN agency for refugees). These are populations without access to basic rights such as housing, education and health.

Many of the systems in destination countries are unable to meet the demands of this group, which often includes victims of abuse, violence, persecution or other traumas who need special attention.

In view of this, Kevin Pottie, a physician and professor at the University of Western Ontario, in Canada, developed guidelines for the health care of migrants and refugees. His nearly three-decade research helped formulate the WHO (World Health Organization) Immigration Health Program.

“The actions [de saúde] at migrant service centers have always been very focused on protecting the host population, not on the health of the migrant population. It was as if they wanted to check whether these populations are bringing tuberculosis, hepatitis, STIs,” he says.

One of the problems in medical care criticized by Pottie was the fact that exams and medications are prescribed without listening and acceptance. “I saw how the doctors requested laboratory and imaging tests, but the refugees don’t have the money to have them done. Those who even somehow manage to get the test were not properly advised by a doctor. No social status, no money , it is difficult to receive a humanized service”, says the Canadian.

One of the problems is the absence of the figure of the family doctor, a figure that is fundamental to help in the access to health of the most vulnerable populations, a function performed by the researcher from Ontario.

“I worked with an international group to develop practical ways of dealing with the problems. This is one of the main difficulties in health equity. Another difficulty is dealing directly with these communities, being in their territory, talking to them directly to better serve these groups .”

Pottie was awarded for his public health research with the university to support refugee families newly arriving in Canada and include them in research on access to health care. The award ceremony, provided by the scientific journal Nature Medicine (from the Springer Nature group), with the support of the pharmaceutical company Takeda, took place at the end of July at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, in São Paulo.

“The problem of migration today is one of the most serious issues faced by humanity, and we need to identify the points that need more attention. We are also now facing a new global scenario, which is that of climate refugees”, says the doctor.

Among the barriers mentioned is the fact that the treatment given to migrants always focuses on the arrival of populations at a given location, but not on their permanence. “It has been used to divert attention. In my experience, I understand that nobody wants to leave their country, their culture, their family. They do it out of necessity,” says Pottie.

Still according to the Canadian, a doctor who will treat refugees needs to keep in mind the social conditions to which they are exposed, such as poverty, exploitation and even sexual abuse, in addition to seeking to understand the specificities of these groups, as well as their beliefs and habits. cultural.

“Listening is, in this sense, fundamental. I cultivate this with my students and colleagues, teaching them to build ties with local groups. There is that phrase that it takes a village to raise a child, and I say that it takes a community to help a refugee,” he says.

Pottie has performed in several countries around the world, including Costa Rica and Venezuela in Latin America. What he saw in the different places was a lot of xenophobia, but also some specific actions that help insert migrants into the local population.

Germany was one of the countries that created an asylum program for Syrian immigrants with already well-established effects. “The fact that, while waiting for asylum, they can work or study is a form of success, because people need to be integrated into school, into work, protecting their communities. Now we are seeing the world apply the same process in much of Europe , North America and Australia in relation to Ukrainians,” he explained.

According to him, Brazil and most countries in South America need to develop supportive communities and shape dialogue with migrants. “We don’t show on television the doctors, nurses, engineers and lawyers who are also part of the refugee community. We only show those who are vulnerable, marginalized, and that also undermines society’s support and the fight against racism.”