Access to healthcare for foreigners in the Czech Republic: challenges, opportunities, and pathways to integration

In the Czech Republic, foreig­ners constitute approximately one-tenth of the population: as of the end of 2022, over 1,065,740 foreigners were living in the country, a fourteenfold increase since 1993. The war in Ukraine has significantly increased the number of Ukrainian migrants, who now make up more than half of all foreigners in the country. This demographic shift has presented new challenges to the healthcare system, which must adapt to these changing realities. This article aims to identify the specific healthcare and social support needs of foreigners in the Czech Republic and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their integration process. Materials and This research was conducted as part of the GAJU project 101/2022/S, funded by the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. Data collection occurred from January to October 2023 through a survey of 1,010 migrants residing in the Czech Republic, of whom 885 were Ukrainians. The questionnaire, developed based on a literature review, included questions on body mass index (BMI), subjective per­ception of health, socio-economic conditions, and access to medical and social services. The data were processed using SASD 1.5.8, and statistical associations were tested using Pearson's chi-square test (p<0.05). The study show that 61.9% of migrants had a normal BMI and reported the most positive health perceptions. In contrast, 30% of migrants faced barriers to accessing healthcare services, such as language difficulties and lack of health insurance. Additionally, 45% of migrants in stable employment reported good health, compared to only 25% of those in unstable employment. Furthermore, 15% of respondents reported having chronic illnesses, negatively affecting their health and integration process. These findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive healthcare policy that addresses the socio-economic and medical needs of migrants. Improving healthcare access and promoting stable employment are critical for enhancing migrants' well-being and ensuring their successful integration into Czech society. Involving migrants in decision-making processes is essential to achieve equitable access to medical services and support their integration.