Experiences of undocumented Zimbabwean migrants on accessing healthcare services in Tshwane Metro, South Africa

Abstract

Background Health status and access to adequate healthcare are vulnerabilities that undocumented migrants face in the receiving country. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of undocumented Zimbabwean migrants on accessing public healthcare services in the Tshwane Metro, South Africa. Methods A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research was conducted to explore the experiences of undocumented Zimbabwean migrants on accessing public healthcare services in Tshwane Metro, South Africa. A group of undocumented Zimbabwean migrants (n=20) were purposively sampled. Data were analysed using a grounded approach. Results The study has highlighted the challenges undocumented Zimbabwean migrants living in the Tshwane Metro, South Africa face when trying to access public healthcare services. The study also highlighted the alternative health-seeking strategies the migrants were using to access health services. The findings revealed that there were tensions between public health workers and undocumented migrants. These tensions were contrary to international compacts as well as the policy provisions of the South African government. Conclusion A human rights paradigm needs to be central to any dialogue regarding migrants, legal or illegal, as their health status was invariably entwined with that of the citizens of South Africa.