Results from ISN regional board-led survey on migrant access to kidney care in Europe published
Results from a survey led by Cédric Rafat and members of the ISN Western Europe Regional Board (WERB) have been published in the Journal of Nephrology. The survey, developed and disseminated with support from the European Renal Association’s Young Nephrologists’ Platform, gathered responses from 378 nephrologists in 29 countries.
Read “Kidney failure care for migrants: a European survey”
The findings reveal widespread disparities in access to kidney care for migrants in Europe, including inconsistent access to dialysis, limited transplant eligibility for undocumented migrants, and common barriers such as language differences, uncertain legal status, and incomplete medical records.
While most clinicians who responded expressed a strong moral duty to treat these patients, many lacked institutional guidance and reported stress within clinical teams, highlighting the urgent need for clearer legal frameworks, shared strategies, and better clinician support to ensure fair and consistent kidney care for migrant populations in Europe.
The data can help clinicians navigate ethical dilemmas and support efforts to advocate for more inclusive policies, ensuring equitable care for all patients, regardless of social status.
