On average, 80 asylum seekers and refugees are admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital every year, according to the Ministry for Health.

Malta has experienced heavy influxes of irregular migrants over the years, making it necessary to provide basic provisions such as health services, the ministry noted.

In 2014, the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) was set up. This fund is designed to help member states, including Malta, manage migration and implement, strengthen and develop a common EU approach to asylum and immigration.

Malta, through the health ministry, has worked on tapping these funds to be reimbursed for treatment provided to those eligible under the AMIF. A total of €3 million will cover treatment provided between 2018 and 2022.

These funds will strengthen the services already being given to migrants at Mount Carmel Hospital, offering a comprehensive and holistic service, the ministry said.

This is expected to improve the mental and social well-being of everyone suffering from mental health distress, to prevent symptoms from worsening, and to improve integration into society.

The Ministry for Health said that asylum seekers seeking international protection in Malta often experience severe trauma and suffering in their home countries and during their journey. Most of this trauma is of a psychological nature, sometimes requiring specialist care and admission to Mount Carmel Hospital.

The AMIF was set up with four specific objectives: asylum, legal migration and integration, return and solidarity.

The first objective, asylum, seeks to strengthen the Common European Asylum System by ensuring that EU legislation is efficiently and uniformly applied.

Legal migration and integration supports legal migration to EU states, according to labour market needs, and promoting the effective integration of non-EU nationals

The third objective, return, seeks the enhancement of fair and effective return strategies, which contribute to combating irregular migration, with an emphasis on the sustainability and effectiveness of the return process.

Solidarity aims to make sure that EU states most affected by migration and asylum flows can count on solidarity from the other members of the bloc.

 

Health entitlement of asylum seekers, refugees and those who have not yet applied

An applicant for international protection shall have the right to receive state medical care and services, the law states.

The Ministry for Health website further details that “these persons are entitled to receive the necessary health care, which shall include, at least, emergency care and essential treatment of illness and of serious mental disorders. Also, necessary medical or other assistance should be provided to applicants who have special reception needs, including appropriate mental health care where needed.”

An asylum seeker or applicant for international protection must be in possession of an asylum-seekers document issued by the Office of the Refugees Commissioner.

According to the Ministry for Health website, however, those who are yet to apply for protection ­– which refers to the period between a third-country or stateless person’s disembarkation following a search-and-rescue operation and the time when that person applies for international protection – are only entitled to emergency healthcare and the treatment of illnesses, including serious mental disorders.

Those granted refugee status in Malta and in possession of a refugee protection card (valid for three years) issued by the Office of the Refugee Commissioner stating that the person has been granted refuge in Malta, and a residence permit issued by Identity Malta, also valid for three years, are entitled to receive state medical care.

This also applies to those who have been granted subsidiary protection status, as well as temporary humanitarian protection status.

On the other hand, a third-country national (or a stateless person) found ineligible for protection status and in possession of an immigration booklet issued by the Immigration Police is only entitled to life-saving medical assistance.

The Ministry for Health website also lists other statuses that may apply to migrants or refugees in terms of health entitlement.