ACCESS TO SERVICES MONITORING PROGRAM

The program “Monitoring Roma access to public health services” had a major impact in documenting and combating discrimination in the healthcare system, helping transform an often ignored problem into a legitimate topic for public debate and institutional intervention. Through research, community monitoring, case documentation, and strategic litigation, SASTIPEN demonstrated the existence of real structural barriers and discriminatory practices affecting Roma access to medical services.

The results are relevant: the assessment of Roma access to health services in 45 communities, the drafting of a reference report and a public policy recommendation, the signing of 7 cooperation memoranda at county level, the documentation of multiple discrimination cases, and CNCD decisions that officially confirmed the existence of discriminatory acts. In subsequent projects, 10 cases of discrimination were documented, 7 victims received legal assistance, and 3 cases were taken to strategic litigation. Law students, community leaders, and health mediators were also engaged and trained, while recent research brought anti-Gypsyism in health to the forefront.

The impact of the program goes beyond resolving individual cases. SASTIPEN contributed to raising awareness of discrimination in healthcare, strengthening Roma communities’ capacity to claim their rights, and influencing dialogue with health authorities. The program consolidated the organization’s position as a reference actor in health equity and in promoting non-discriminatory access to public services.