Carol Nolan
Ceist:392. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the response of his Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 10 March 2022
Ceisteanna (392)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government of Ireland stands ready to assist in any way that it can as part of the national response to the crisis in Ukraine. There is a strong willingness to assist throughout the system and a desire to support and express solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
The Department of Health and the HSE are continuing to work with colleagues across Government, across the EU and with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland to ensure every health support we can provide is made available. The HSE is currently considering what further offers of medicines and medical assistance can be provided.
We are engaged with the EU humanitarian response including through:
- the direct contribution of funding including for medical supplies
- direct response with a number of donations made through the EU Civil Protection Mechanisms.
A HSE Coordination group led by Global Health and Procurement has been established to coordinate efforts in relation to HSE donations.
Refugees from the Ukraine will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, refugees will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
The Department of Health and the HSE are working together to plan and coordinate the response to the health and social care needs of Ukrainian refugees granted temporary protection status. We are also liaising with other Government departments and agencies supporting the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.
The HSE is translating its guide to health care services for refugees and migrants in Ukrainian and Russian languages. Multilingual resources on specific health needs will also be provided, including Covid-19. These resources will be available on the dedicated HSE webpage multilingual resources and translated material.
The HSE is finalising a plan. This will include health needs assessment (aligned with WHO, ECDC early reports and Ukraine government reports) of the health needs of new arrivals, including public health measures arising from Covid-19.
This assessment has the following components:
Rapid access to basic priority GP / primary care of Ukrainian refugees in hotels/ communities. The aim of the GP Primary care service is to be available for acute illnesses, provide ongoing clinical care of priority medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic illness plus acute care / triage of illnesses.
To ensure similar access to GP / Primary care in the community
Looking at wider health needs over short medium and longer term
The rapid health needs assessment will look at the determinants of health, demography: age (child health), gender, vulnerable groups, education, condition before left Ukraine (BBV, major health conditions), during their flight and current conditions (potentially no access to healthcare during transition period to Ireland).
The provision of primary health care services will align with the processing and reception facilities put in place for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland, under the governance of the Dept of Justice and other relevant departments.
Refugees holding temporary protection status will be entitled to apply for a medical card in order to access primary care services for each adult and child dependents. A process will be implemented to facilitate timely access to a medical card, based on the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) provided by the Department of Social Protection.
Ireland provides universal access to community health care services for children up to 18 years and a medical card is not required for children to access these supports. Furthermore, it is noted that a medical card is not required for the public to access acute hospital services in Ireland.
Additional health supports will be provided where required, for mental health issues and to support people who have suffered trauma. The specific health needs of vulnerable groups will be addressed (children under 5, over 65/70s, pregnant and breast-feeding women, people with major illnesses, unaccompanied minors). COVID vaccinations will be provided where this is required.