Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Zimbabwean undocumented migrants rely on the South African public health
care system for treatment of non-communicable and communicable diseases, surgery and
medical emergency services. A gap remains to understand undocumented migrant experiences
at a time when accessing public healthcare has been topical in South Africa.
AIM: This article aimed to describe and understand the experiences, challenges and health seeking alternatives of undocumented Zimbabwean migrants in accessing healthcare services
in Nellmapius in Pretoria.
SETTING: The study was conducted at Nellmapius in Pretoria.
METHODS: A qualitative descriptive research design was used. Structured interviews with 13
undocumented migrants were conducted by applying purposive and snowballing sampling
techniques. The data were thematically analysed.
RESULTS: Migrants reported that the attitudes by healthcare officials suggest unwillingness to
provide services to undocumented migrants, aggravating their vulnerability and perennial
illness. Migrants faced challenges of discrimination, a lack of professional service delivery, a
lack of financial capacity to pay for services and a lack of documentation evoking health seeking alternatives.
CONCLUSION: Migrants continue to face challenges while accessing subsidised health care. This
study confirms that medical xenophobia is generally present in the public health care centres,
at least for the sampled undocumented Zimbabwean migrants. The majority of undocumented
migrants cannot afford to pay for private healthcare.
CONTRIBUTION: The findings of this study inform national, provincial and local healthcare
facilities to be ethical and provide dignified quality healthcare to undocumented migrants in
line with international practices.
Description:
DATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, T.C., on request.