Roma healthcare plan to address social inequalities

The development of a Roma Health Action Plan has been announced by Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke TD.

The initiative is among seven health actions in the new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028 launched this week by Minister Roderic O’Gorman.

They aim to address the social determinants of Traveller and Roma health through tailored and affirmative measures to promote health and reduce inequalities.

Health actions include the development of a Roma Health Action Plan, delivery of the National Traveller Mental Health Implementation Plan, and a funding call in conjunction with the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme to allocate €710,000 to address social determinants of health for Travellers.

Minister Burke, a TD for Cork North Central, said that through his work as a public representative, he has become very familiar with the unique challenges faced by Traveller and Roma communities that make it difficult to access healthcare.

“We must listen and respond to these communities by developing targeted, tailored healthcare supports that appropriately address their needs, removing barriers to healthcare, and supporting improved physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“Under the new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, we will develop a Roma Health Action Plan that will specifically address needs in relation to health literacy, mental health, medical card and pregnancy supports.”

The National Traveller Mental Health Implementation Plan is bolstered by the announcement of additional funding of approximately €470,000 announced by Minister Mary Bulter.

Mr Burke said: “While there is much work to be done to ensure that our underserved communities get equity of access to healthcare, I am confident that the initiatives we’re announcing today will help to support improved population health.”

Activist and former Roma Education Worker Rachel Hurley Roche told The Echo she was glad to see the announcement from the Minister.

Ms Hurley Roche, who ran in the local elections with the Workers Party, explained: “The community faces a diverse range of barriers in being able to access and maintain contact with the health service, namely discrimination and financial cost.

“There are aspects of the health service that at their foundation must be reformed in order to implement any plan, focusing on safe staffing and more access to primary care,” she said, explaining that families across Ireland are finding it difficult to access GPs.

“Capacity has not been increased so while I am pleased to see specific funding announced for these initiatives, I do not think it is enough.

“I hope to see maternal and infant health as well as support for those with literacy challenges heavily prioritised in any announced initiatives,” she said.

“In order to bridge barriers relating to discrimination and social inclusion, it is essential that there are satisfactory staffing levels, primary care that can support positive relationships, and a trauma-informed approach,” she added.