Conflit en Ukraine

All persons coming from Ukraine are strongly encouraged to have a health screening consultation. The earlier care is provided, the better it is for one' s health.

Geneva's healthcare system looks after new incomers to the canton.

As soon as S permits have been issued, newly arrived adult refugee may benefit from the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) migrant health programme (PSM), which provides a health assessment consultation to all and the HUG-SAMI paediatric consultation centre will do the same for children aged 0 to 17.  

Since May, when registering at the Bouchet reception of the Hospice General, the nursing staff of the HUG Migrant Health Programme (PSM) are on site to perform a quick assessment of the health needs of all persons coming from Ukraine. This initial assessment is strongly encouraged as it will ensure that the necessary decisions are made quickly to maintain the health of the newcomers.

The nursing staff will be able to issue a prescription when a patient is in need of a treatment that he/she regularly takes.

Children up to 17 years included are taken care of by the HUG-SAMI paediatric consultation centre (SAMI).

Paediatricians and doctors provide systematic consultation for all children and adolescents and refer them within the health care system for follow-up.

A child health brochure exists in French, English, Ukrainian and Russian.

• The health of your child 
• La santé de votre enfant - French
• Здоров'я вашої дитини - Ukrainian
• Здоровье вашего ребенка - Russian

HUG Migrant health program (PSM) - Consultation in Geneva University Hospitals  

The PSM medical staff systematically carries out at the Bouchet reception of the Hospice General a first assessment of the physical and psychological state of health. If necessary, a medical follow-up is set up. 

The PSM can provide psychological support. It also refers people to specialist doctors according to their needs, for example to a gynaecologist for check-ups in the event of pregnancy, to a cardiologist, a diabetologist or to psychiatric care. 

The HUG also offers a consultation for victims of torture and war (CTG) with specialist doctors and psychologists. It is not always necessary to go there; the need for a CTG consultation is assessed with the PSM medical staff.

For systematic nursing consultations at the HUG Migrant health program (PSM) and the HUG paediatric consultation centre (SAMI) : expect a delay of about 15 days.

For nursing consultations at the PSM, depending on the type of problem, the secretariat will do its best to respond to each person's request.

Children from 0 to 17 years are invited by telephone or SMS for an appointment in the weeks or months following their arrival in Geneva (depending on their age and pre-existing health problems). There is also a specific consultation for adolescents. Depending on the age of the child, he or she may be referred there.

Please bring your vaccination booklet if you have one with you to any appointment

A person coming from Ukraine may be accompanied by a relative who will assist and translate for him/her.

If there is a language barrier and a person is not accompanied, the HUG will resort to interpretors via the services of Connexxion and the Geneva Red Cross. The HUG work with interpreters in a trialogue to ensure smooth communication and mutual understanding during consultations. The interpreter acts as a link between the patient and the doctor/nurse/psychologist.  

Medicare and the canton of Geneva cover the cost of care.

Healthcare and follow-up, including mental health consultations, are free for people who have applied for an S permit

People without an S permit, i.e. without health insurance, may also benefit from free care at the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG).

COVID-19 is still very present in Switzerland. However, the number of severe cases requiring hospitalisation is limited compared to the total number of cases. The health system is currently able to absorb the health needs of the population. 

People arriving from Ukraine are routinely offered the COVID-19 vaccine, especially people over 65, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases.

The circulation rate of the virus is already very high in Switzerland. The arrival of a large number of people shoulld therefore not have a major impact on the evolution of the epidemic, given the predominant variant currently circulating. As is the case since the beginning of the pandemic, the cantonal doctor's office continues to closely monitor the evolution of COVID cases in hospitals.

Regular vaccination against COVID-19 is possible at the HUG. The nursing staff of the HUG migrant health programme (PSM),  the HUG-SAMI paediatric consultation centre  and the HUG Youth Health Unit systematically offers them during the health assessment appointment. 

Vaccination against COVID-19 in Geneva

• Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended in Switzerland for adults.
• Children from 5 to 17 years old may also be vaccinated.
• At the HUG, vaccination is free for everyone, including people who do not have an S permit.
  

People arriving in Geneva are currently mainly women with children and elderly people. The following health issues are therefore frequent:

• Chronic diseases in elderly people (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) which could be worsened by a temporary lack of medication.
• Mild infectious diseases in children (gastroenteritis, nasopharyngitis) and updating of their vaccinations.
• Possible cases of COVID 19, but full vaccination and/or booster shots will be systematically offered to arrivals.
• Gynaecological needs for pregnant women.
• And above all, for all persons, important mental health needs due to exposure to trauma. Trauma may be primarily related to the bombings, scenes of war or caused secondarily through exposure to news found on social networks and in the media or when receiving bad news concerning close relatives. Such events generate acute stress that can develop into post-traumatic stress and require psychological support, including preventive support, which consists of explaining to people what the symptoms are. Acute reactions to bereavement are also very likely, with the added difficulty of distance and the inability to attend funerals.
• Increased use of tobacco and other substances (e.g. alcohol) is also possible as a form of 'self-stress management'. It is important to refer persons who appear to be using these substances to health services and again to support persons with stress symptoms in order to limit the use of these substances.

People arriving from Ukraine with their pet dog or cat must declare it via the Travelling with Pets form available on the federal website which should be completed and sent to: petsukraine@blv.admin.ch. This is to ensure that the animal's vaccinations and documents are up to date.

Accommodation in the Canton of Geneva with a pet may be complicated.

Iodine tablets as a protective measure for the population in Switzerland are primarily intended to be taken in the event of an accident in a Swiss nuclear power plant or in a neighbouring country. 

In the current situation, there is no need to take iodine tablets. Given the distance between Switzerland and the Ukraine, it is highly unlikely that iodine tablets would be needed in Switzerland.