Access to health services for international migrant population in an irregular situation: The health sector response in Chile

Abstract

Background: The international migrant population in an irregular situation (MISI) is in a situation of differential vulnerability since its administrative status is usually related to poor living conditions, labor exploitation and restricted access to health services. There is evidence in the world, in the region and in the country that shows MISI population faces multiple barriers to access to health care. At the international level, there are various instruments converge in guaranteeing the right to health of this population. Objective: to describe the access to healthcare of international migrants in Chile. Methods: Critical analysis of current legislations and norms in the country. Results: The State of Chile has responded to these guidelines through the issuance of various normative instruments that guarantee access to different health services to the MISI population, such as attention to children and adolescents, attention to pregnant women, emergency care, access to public health goods, and finally access to MISI lacking resources to the entire FONASA benefits regime. Despite these advances, throughout these years, several situations of restriction of the exercise of the right to health of MISI have been reported. Discussion: This study accounts for the existence of great challenges, such as guaranteeing the right to health of the MISI population in an integrated regulatory framework, resolve the high level of discretion to which the application of the regulations is subject, training and sensitizing health personnel, establish monitoring mechanisms for compliance with the norm and spread information on guaranteed rights among the MISI population.