Africans and other immigrants in Germany are often not well informed about the German health care system and what it can offer them. Further, there are approximately 15 million immigrants and their children living in Germany. According to experts, many of them unfortunately benefit too little from the German health health care system.
Because of cultural and language barriers they make less use of the health services available, which can mean that they receive inappropriate or insufficient health care. In 2004, in a bid to improve African and migrant knowledge about health and how to use the German health service, the EuroAfricaCentral Network founded the EMAFA project - EuroAfrica Medical Assistance for Foreigners and Africans. The EMAFA project contributes to intercultural health promotion and integration in Germany.
Our cooperation partner, Malteser Migranten Medizin (Medicine for Maltese Migrants) in Hamburg, takes the psychosocial support further, in particular for those without a residence permit. Outpatient care is currently well provided for. Orthopedic and gynecological problems, or psychological stress and dental problems, are amongst the most common medical problems. Treatment is difficult, however, if inpatient care is required, such as surgery or child delivery.
Without a command of the mother tongue, it is very difficult to approach the target group and gain their trust. Chris Ezeh, founder of EuroAfricaCentral Network, is a qualified health mediator and member of both the Ethno-Medical Centre in Hanover and the MiMi project Mit Migranten für Migranten (With Migrants for Migrants) in Hamburg.
Describing the function of the nearly 700 mediators throughout Germany who come from a wide range of cultures, Herr Ezeh says, 'We do not merely build bridges between cultures. To these cultures we are also the emergency services.'" The mediators provide advice on health matters in their respective languages.
Objective:
The aim of the project is to improve access to health care, medical prevention and health education for Africans and other people living in Hamburg and the surrounding area without health insurance. Through psychosocial counselling and support, the project also aims to (re)integrate those affected into social networks.
As a result of a lack of language skills and because of the environment in which people without papers receive health care, patients are often unable to get extensive information about their symptoms, the diagnosis and the options for treatment and prevention. By providing education and advice at the point of contact, the aim is to dispel the fear and uncertainty of migrant workers in otherwise difficult situations and to work to prevent problems. Information is provided in various African languages. The aim is that in the long term the health of those concerned is stabilised through preventive measures and health education.
2. Guidance
EMAFA proceeds from the assumption that many of those in need of help are refugees who have been the victim of violence and torture, and who are not always able to talk about their experiences. For this reason, EMAFA seeks to guarantee adequate medical and psychosocial care for those affected by offering guidance and active support for particular pressures. People without residence papers also often find themselves facing complex problems which require holistic assistance.
With its cooperation partners, EMAFA aims to provide a range of services which offers guidance to people without papers in problem situations and puts them in contact with the appropriate information and advice centres. As well as putting patients in contact with a network of doctors, the aim is also to provide psychosocial counselling and support. For this reason we want to create a network of existing sources of help.
Our Partners and Networks
The EACN EMAFA project is involved in intensive cooperation with other organisations which provide help for those affected, including for example:
The MIMI Project, Hamburg -
http://www.bkk-bv-gesundheit.de/bkk-promig
The Ethno-Medical Centre, Hannover -
http://www.ethno-medizinisches-zentrum.de
Malteser Migranten Medizin (Maltese Medical Programme for Migrants), Hamburg -
http://www.malteser-migranten-medizin.de
