Undetected in Denmark: Many refugees not getting health checks

Infectious hepatitis, PTSD and tuberculosis among the diseases being brought in

Despite health check-ups being an obligatory part of the integration of refugees in Denmark, an alarming number are not checked by the municipalities.

A new report showed, for instance, that under half of the refugees and family-reunified individuals in Odense, Kolding, Vejle and Silkeborg municipalities had been checked by a doctor.

“If you have infectious hepatitis, there is a risk of permanent liver damage and cancer,” Palle Valentiner-Branth, the head of the VPD and MRSA group at the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the State Serum Institute (SSI), told DR Nyheder.

READ MORE: Few refugees in Denmark forced home during peace time

Loads of illness
According to SSI, approximately every fifth refugee coming from certain areas in Africa and Asia can have infectious hepatitis – an illness that is essential to diagnose early.

A health check-up is also necessary to discover if the refugees have other chronic illnesses and psychological problems.

About every fifth refugee displays signs of tuberculosis, about half lack vitamin D and a considerable proportion struggle with anaemia, metabolic diseases and trauma, like PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

TOP STORIES

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs