Open AccessBarriers to Healthcare Access and Utilization among Urban Syrian Refugees in Turkey
Author(s) -
Elwyn Zhang,
Roger Worthington
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of student research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2167-1907
DOI - 10.47611/jsr.v10i2.1240
Subject(s) - refugee , syrian refugees , turkish , health care , political science , government (linguistics) , poverty , economic growth , law , philosophy , linguistics , economics
Turkey currently hosts 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees, most of which reside in urban centres. Urban refugees in Turkey face significant challenges in accessing the healthcare to which they are entitled under international and Turkish law. This literature review seeks to provide a holistic overview of the major barriers refugees face in accessing adequate healthcare. Language forms the single greatest obstacle despite efforts to provide services staffed by Arabic speakers. Poverty exacerbated by lack of employment, unhygienic living conditions, and the COVID-19 pandemic also play significant roles. Above all, hostile Turkish public sentiment towards refugees motivates restrictive government policies and discourages aid. Potential means by which this situation may be addressed include prompt address of the financial hardships brought on by COVID-19, permitting NGOs to evaluate the effectiveness of migrant health centres, and the resumption of refugee registration in key provinces.