Case study: Kabir* and Soraya* are refugees from Afghanistan and parents to two children. The family arrived in July 2023 on Samos. During their reception and identification procedures at CCAC Samos they did not undergo an adequate medical check and vulnerability assessment. All family members’ Health Cards are blank and contain no medical history or classification under a vulnerability category, despite reported neurological, heart and gynaecological conditions. The family’s asylum application was dismissed at first instance based on the “safe third country” concept after they had been transferred to CTRC Ritsona. Soraya in particular had undergone medical examinations at the General Hospital of Samos and had been informed that she would receive the results at CTRC Ritsona. Pending their appeal, they asked the camp in October 2023 “to conduct a medical check and an assessment of the health situation and to provide the necessary care to the above in view of their urgent medical needs, namely by: An orthopaedic and psychologist for the first applicant… A gynaecologist for the second applicant… A cardiologist for the second minor child”. They also requested to receive the results of Soraya’s medical examinations from the General Hospital of Samos. This request was also submitted to the Appeals Committee competent for the examination of their appeal. CTRC Ritsona replied to Kabir and Soraya’s request four months later, at the end of February 2024. By that time their asylum claim had already been dismissed at second instance on the ground that Türkiye qualifies as a “safe third country” for them. The response of the camp states that it “proceeded to an assessment of the needs and vulnerabilities of said family on… 11/23 and carried out the following actions… The [third-country nationals], as reported to us, have already visited the medical unit of EODY, SAMS and MSF outside the camp and await information from the EODY medical unit regarding the schedule of their appointments at public hospitals. In addition, Management proceeded to refer the parents to the medical and the psychosocial unit of EODY for provision of psychological support, upon their request. Finally, as for the means of collection of the medical examinations conducted at the General Hospital of Samos, the case has been referred to EODY via email and we await their actions”. At the time of writing, the family had received no document and no further information on the above. RSA REPORT │ REFUGEE CAMPS IN MAINLAND GREECE | JUN 2024 19

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