The Right to Healthcare, as reflected in the Charter of Palermo, affirms that all people should have equal access to free and dignified healthcare regardless of nationality or immigration status. The Charter calls for simplified access to public health services and rejects policies that deny care or social benefits to migrants and other marginalized residents.

Compared to most other human rights, the right to health care is more often realized among migrant communities in Palermo. Italy’s public health system, despite its increasing financial and administrative problems, presents fewer barriers to migrants than other bureaucracies. Private organizations like InterSOS conduct street outreach in migrant neighborhoods of Palermo, offering basic care and referrals for more complex health problems. 

Participants in our interviews shared mostly positive experiences with access to health care. However, some included accessing public health identification cards among the broad challenges in attaining legal papers and permits, which represents a major challenge for most communities.