The sixth part of research series Voice of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic focuses on experiences of refugees from Ukraine with healthcare and other services. The findings are based on a survey conducted in September 2022 on a representative sample of 1 347 respondents. This document summarises the key findings of the research and gives recommendations for policy makers.

Key findings

Access to healthcare

Temporary protection holders from Ukraine have access to public health insurance in the Czech Republic. Despite this, the report says, they find access to healthcare difficult in reality. 62% of adult refugees do not have a doctor, and 67 refugee households with children do not have a pediatrician. Since arriving in the Czech Republic, 46% of refugees have received medical care, while 19% have not been able to see a doctor despite needing medical care. Up to 14% of refugees in the Czech Republic do not have access to the drugs they need to treat their illness.

The main barriers for refugees in accessing health services are identified in the report as language, a lack of awareness of how the healthcare system works, and a lack of capacity among Czech doctors. The health condition of refugees is found to be related to their economic situation: people experiencing material deprivation, those who do not speak Czech and those in substandard housing conditions rate their health as worse. 

Access to other services

The report finds that 15 - 40% of refugees use different types of integration service, and that in most areas the necessary assistance is lacking. Refugees most often need (50%) and use help with finding a doctor (37%) and finding a job (34%).

Among services in short supply are legal advice related to visa and application for humanitarian benefits, assistance with the recognition of qualifications, and interpreting services (needed but not used by 41 - 42% of refugees). 31% of refugees surveyed said they also need help with finding accommodation. Free leisure time activities offered for children are used by 28% of Ukrainian families, while another 53% are interested in but do not yet use them.

Image and text source: PAQ Research 2022.

Read the report online - in Czech - here, or find it attached below.