One of every four immigrants in Malta have been refused healthcare treatment at some point during their stay on the island, according to a study.

70 per cent said that had encountered some form of difficult in accessing healthcare with the most common obstacles being long waiting lists, discrimination, language barriers and the lack of information about the availability of healthcare.

These figures emerged this morning from the results of a study entitles Access to Healthcare and Living Conditions of Asylum Seekers and Undocumented Migrants carried out by the Health for Undocumented Migrants and Asylum Seekers (HUMA) Network.

100 immigrants, with an average age of 30, were interviewed in Malta and most were living in the community.

Results for Malta, that was represented by the NGO Platform Skop, showed that 70 per cent considered themselves to be in bad or very bad psychological heath. This could he linked to their experienced in their home country or conditions they encountered in Malta such as poor living conditions or discrimination.

83 per cent said they fled their country to escape from war or prosecution. On arrival in Malta 27 per cent worked for over 10 hours a day between several times and every day and 46 per cent felt their working conditions would affect their health. 83 per cent or working migrants had temporary jobs.

The report makes several recommendations that include introducing inclusive legal provisions to bring access to healthcare for all. In face the report points out the lack of a clear legal framework that clearly outlines who is eligible for healthcare.

The report also recommends providing better information about healthcare entitlement, reducing administrative difficulties and providing professional mental healthcare to those who have endured hardships.

Other recommendations include ensuring decent living conditions in open centres and accessibility to decent housing.