Roma Suffer Discrimination in Access to Health Care in Greece

10 July 2002

On April 13, 2002, the Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) and the ERRC received testimony from Mr Christos Chrisikos, a 33-year-old Romani man, that on April 9, 2002, his 3-year-old daughter Maria had been denied medical assistance at the office of a private physician in Kiato, in northwestern Peloponnese. At approximately 8:00 PM, Mr Chrisikos, his wife, Mrs Panayota Chrisikos, 27, and his mother-in-law, Mrs Maria Karagiannis, 46, brought Maria to the office of Dr C., and after receiving the consent from other patients to allow Maria to be seen before them, Mr Chrisikos was reportedly told by Dr C. that he should have made an appointment. Mr Chrisikos then informed Dr C. that it was an emergency, but she reportedly stated: "I will not examine your children." According to Mr Chrisikos, his family then left and Maria received treatment at another doctor's office. Mr Chrisikos reported to GHM/ERRC that this was not the first time Dr C. had refused to examine Romani patients. Previously, according to Mr Chrisikos, Dr C. refused to examine the sick one-month-old daughter of his brother-in-law.

(ERRC, Greek Helsinki Monitor)