Unresolved Problems of Undocumented Migrants in Germany: An analysis of Medical Consultations in Berlin, Cologne and Bonn

Introduction: Little is known about health related problems of undocumented migrants in Germany. Patterns for medical consultations and socio-demographic characteristics are only available in isolated reports. This article identifies and compares empirical data from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who provide medical care for unregistered migrants. Methods: Annual reports of 2006 and 2007 of the Malteser Migranten Medizin (Berlin, Cologne) and the MediNetz Bonn were selected for this document analysis. Results: We identified similarities and differences in the socio-demographic background and patterns of medical consultations between the explored regions. The number of documented migrants without medical insurance increased during the observed period. Discussion: The patterns of health-care utilisation for undocumented immigrants changed in the observed period which might be caused by the EU enlargement to the East. The heterogeneous quality of the annual reports and the lack of information about the use of alternative health-care facilities limit the results of this analysis.