Access to healthcare is not only about having healthcare services available. It is also about being able to understand, navigate and trust those services.
For many Roma people and families, cultural, social and communication barriers can make this process more difficult. This is where Roma healthcare professionals and Roma health mediators can play an important role
Roma professionals within healthcare services can help build bridges between patients, families and other healthcare professionals, contributing to greater cultural understanding and more effective communication.
Roma health mediators can also support people at community level, helping them navigate healthcare services, understand information and overcome some of the barriers they may encounter when seeking care.However, access to community-based Roma health mediation is not equally developed everywhere. The availability of these support roles can vary between countries and regions, leaving some Roma communities without a key resource for navigating the healthcare system.
Strengthening these roles can contribute to healthcare services that are more accessible, responsive and inclusive, while recognising the knowledge and experience that Roma professionals and community mediators bring to the health system.
Through the RomInDis project, these issues are part of a broader reflection on the barriers faced by Roma communities and on the tools and training needed to support both Roma Health Mediators and Health Professionals.
Find out more about RomInDis: www.romindis.eu