More information
Description
The Strategy for Roma Integration 2012-2020 of Pazardjik District shows that respiratory and circulatory system diseases are the top causes of the morbidity rate in the area. The main priorities of the Health Strategy are as follows: ensure equal access to health services of socially disadvantaged people, develop the role of health mediators and raise health knowledge and provide access to health information. The project aims at introducing innovative (new or improved) methods and approaches for the needs of the vulnerable groups. The goal is to empower Roma health mediators in Pazardjik District to carry out early screening of the Roma community to prevent major diseases. Health events with lectures on health issues will be held. Thus, equal access to health services will be provided and Roma awareness of health issues will be raised. A survey with statistical data will be carried out based on the results from the medical checkups during the health event. It has been proved that Covid-19 might be associated with severe complications in people with chronic comorbid conditions. The project promotes the treatment of chronic conditions and thus contributes to reducing the negative consequences of Covid-19. Public hospitals will also have part of their burden lifted after free-of-charge screening of the Roma community is carried out. The target group is 12 Roma mediators and the direct users are 20350 Roma.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to empower Roma health mediators in Pazardzhik district to conduct early screening of the Roma population for the prevention of socially significant diseases. Trained were health mediators from Septemvri, Velingrad, Rakitovo, Bratsigovo and Pazardzhik and then health exhibitions were held with them, local doctors and volunteers. In this way, access was provided to health services to nearly 1,000 people. Included were also mobile teams with a mediator to help overcome prejudices and mistrust in the stationary ambulance teams, in order to reach more residents in the Roma neighborhoods. The results from the examinations were systematized and the data show that over 40% of those examined were found to have high blood pressure, 8% had blood sugar values above 11, requiring treatment, over 73% were overweight and 34% had obesity 1st degree. Being overweight turned out to be a significant factor for Covid-19 complications.
The situation with the pandemic, as well as the fear of vaccination and doctors, led to fewer check-ups than planned, but mediators and many volunteers were involved, and they presently continue to work with the Roma community. Information on the project was uploaded on the website of the Foundation: https://adra.bg/en/give-roma-health/
Equipment and consumables for screening of socially significant diseases were purchased and provided to the municipality of Pazardzhik, ensuring the sustainability of the project to empower Roma mediators, who already had their theoretical and practical training in working with minority groups. Now they can provide regular and competent consultations and initial check-ups of residents of Roma communities.