Children of a 'lesser God' seek hope: What mapping in Roma camps has shown

The volunteers of the "Health for All" program in the 7 years visiting Roma camps have identified the serious problems for the children and propose solutions.

With the central message of the access of vulnerable population groups to Primary Health Care (PHC) services and the aim of developing a network of PHC and Social Care services, interconnected with local communities and local public services and structures, the voluntary program began its activity "Health for All» in November 2016. The program involves 40 scientific bodies and has the support of National Immunization Committee, of KESY (Central Health Council), while it is under its auspices Unesco and of EKPA and Crete Universities.

The volunteers of the program visit Roma camps, and vaccinate the pediatric population, as it has been established that prevention is a non-existent concept and information is lacking. In addition to the public health problems, during their visits the volunteers found other very serious issues concerning Roma children, such as exploitation, neglect, dropping out of school, isolation.

"We all think that children are the future, but it turns out that not all of them have equal opportunities for their future, some have none at all, like Roma children. There have been many programs which try to get Roma children from the streets into schools and from child labor into education", he says in oloygeia.gr the president of the "Health for All" program and scientific associate of the First University Clinic of the Agia Sophia Hospital, Eleni Sotiropoulou.

Emphasis on vaccination and especially against measles

Roma children have lower vaccination coverage than the general population, which makes them more vulnerable to infectious diseases such as hepatitis, measles, rubella, mumps, whooping cough, influenza, tuberculosis, etc.

On the occasion of the outbreak of cases observed at the international level, the EODY in collaboration with the NGO "Health for All» will carry out mass vaccination in Roma camps with the assistance of COMY.

Since the year 2017, the "Health for All" Program has implemented a Pediatric clinical examination - Vaccination program for Roma children.

A survey was conducted all over the country, the settlements - camps were mapped, with population and age distribution.

In the year 2016, the vaccination coverage of children amounted to a percentage of 10%, at the end of the year 2023, it reached a percentage of 69%.

256 vaccination campaigns have been carried out across the country and approximately 16,000 children have been vaccinated with 26,578 vaccines from the "Health for All" program.

The vaccination data of Roma children from the year 2017 until today was entered in real time, in the National Immunization Registry (IDIKA).

"Unfortunately, it is found that the introduction of data throughout the country is anemic, while the prescription is found to amount to a percentage of 30-50%. In order to deal with the public health problems faced by Roma children, the cooperation of public health agencies, organizations, of the Roma community and local communities", says Mrs. Sotiropoulou.

Exploitation of children

According to Ms. Sotiropoulou, "the main factors that contribute to child trafficking, in Roma children, are the socio-economic situation of the Roma and the lack of information. Roma often face discrimination and social exclusion and this makes children more vulnerable to exploitation by people who promise them opportunities or help."

"To deal with the problem it is necessary informing vulnerable populations on the dangers of child trafficking, strengthening the social and economic conditions of the Roma and strengthening child protection mechanisms", emphasizes Mrs. Sotiropoulou

Children in begging

"The forced begging of Roma children is a serious problem in Greece. According to data from the Greek Observatory for the Rights of the Child, in 2022 it is estimated that around 1,500 Roma children are forced into begging. The most important reasons are the poverty and destitution of their families, the lack of education and opportunities for vocational rehabilitation and the racial and socio-economic marginalization of the Roma", says Mrs. Sotiropoulou. In order to deal effectively with the problem, the cooperation of all the actors involved, local communities, civil society organizations and the Roma themselves, is necessary, he adds.

High school dropout rate

The lifestyle, economic poverty and issues of discrimination and racism faced by the Roma in Greek society are the main reasons for leaving school.

Improving the education of Roma children is necessary to promote equality and social inclusion in Greek society.

20-25,000 Roma children live in our country today, who could constitute an excellent workforce as well as scientific potential in an aging country, concludes Mrs. Sotiropoulou.