Migrants' and refugees’ experiences of healthcare access in Egypt: An exploratory qualitative study

In Egypt, migrants and refugees are formally entitled to access public healthcare services under the same conditions as Egyptian citizens. However, they continue to face barriers. This qualitative study explores migrants’ perceptions of healthcare access and service provision in Egypt. We conducted six focus group discussions with 23 migrant men and 25 women in vulnerable situations, grouped by sex and language, and 15 individual semi-structured interviews with ten migrant community leaders and six non-governmental organisation staff. Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling at the International Organisation for Migration- Migration Health Assessment Centre. Data were analysed using a hybrid thematic approach, combining deductive coding from Levesque’s framework with inductive emergent themes. Participants identified several social determinants that negatively affect their health, including insecurity, social isolation, limited employment opportunities, and poor working conditions. The participants reported complex health needs, including infectious diseases and non-communicable conditions. Key barriers to accessing healthcare included low health literacy, cultural and religious beliefs, limited awareness of the healthcare system, inadequate documentation, language barriers, health misconceptions and mistrust of public healthcare facilities. They encountered perceived poor service quality, financial limitations, and insufficient coordination among service providers. Additional obstacles included high transportation costs, geographic isolation, limited availability of medical services, and prolonged waiting times. In Cairo’s urban context, migrants and refugees in vulnerable situations often face barriers to accessing healthcare. Achieving health for all requires targeted policies that expand access to culturally competent healthcare services, empower migrant communities, and regularise migrants’ legal status. • In Egypt, migrants and refugees are formally entitled to access public healthcare services under the same conditions as Egyptian citizens. • Migrants and refugees face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, including low health literacy as well as cultural and religious beliefs. • Additional obstacles include a lack of documentation, language barriers, and a lack of trust in medical decisions. • Enhancing the health of migrants and refugees necessitates actions that boost access to healthcare, promote health education, regularise migratory status, and improve living conditions.