Irresponsiveness of the Greek health system to the needs of refugees and migrants: in search of a novel transformative health policy approach
Abstract
Refugee and Migrant Health constitutes a major challenge for host countries and their respective health systems due to the vulnerability and diversity of people in transit. The WHO outlines four models of health system response to address the health needs of Refugee and Migrants (RMs). Greece has hosted a significant number of RMs for over a decade, yet its public health system (ESY) has shown limited adaptation, lacking a clear care model οr mixture of models for this population group. This reality is, among others, due to the convergence of structural weaknesses of the ESY, the absence of a national RM health strategy, and restrictive migration policies that hinder access to care and lead to negative social determination of health. A transformative health policy approach is urgently needed—focusing on RM - inclusive health system strengthening, the adoption of a national RM health strategy, and the reversal of restrictive migration policies.
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Puchner , K. P. (2026). Irresponsiveness of the Greek health system to the needs of refugees and migrants: in search of a novel transformative health policy approach. Social Policy, 20, 30–44. https://doi.org/10.12681/sp.44571
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