Medical care – for refugees FAQ

Anyone who is registered at the ZASt (Central Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the State of Bremen) can receive an initial examination and basic care from the department.

A multilingual medical team is on site during medical consultation hours. Video interpreters are also available. In the healthcare sector in particular, it is important that refugees are understood so that appropriate treatment can be initiated. It is equally important that refugees understand information about vaccinations, for example, or why they are being referred for a chest X-ray.

The general state of health is assessed on the basis of a questionnaire on medical history, questions about social circumstances such as escape route and family situation, and a physical examination. Patients are referred for lung X-rays, pregnancies are determined and vaccinations are offered.

According to the Infection Protection Act, infectious diseases must be ruled out. Tuberculosis in particular is more common in some countries of origin than here, and long escape routes often represent unfavourable medical conditions. Under certain circumstances, an X-ray is taken to detect tuberculosis.

According to the Measles Protection Act, measles vaccination is mandatory for people living in institutions and for school and kindergarten children. Vaccinations are available for mumps, measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and polio, as well as chickenpox.

Basic care includes the rapid treatment of simple illnesses such as pain, flu-like infections and allergies, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of chickenpox, scabies, head lice and injuries. If necessary, patients are referred to specialists or advice centres. In individual cases, prescriptions may also be issued.

The Bremen model is a low-threshold medical consultation service in initial reception facilities that is geared to the actual health needs of refugees in communal facilities. Beyond the initial examination, basic care has proven its worth on site thanks to a multilingual medical team with experience in migration. The health programme offers the following advantages:

1. Compliance with legal requirements for the health care of refugees
   
2. creating a broad epidemiological basis for the health situation of refugees
   
3. providing controlled referral to outpatient and inpatient specialist care or health institutions as required (gatekeeper function).

In Bremen, the costs are covered by the Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration.