Serbia: Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support

Persistent Follow-Up for Tuberculosis

17-year-old boy

In August 2017, RMF’s clinic and mobile team was asked to help a 17-year-old boy who was traveling alone through Serbia. For the last few months, he had been placed in Obrenovac Reception Centre, where he was under the protection of the state. The boy was experiencing a consistent fever, night sweats, and coughing up blood. Considering the seriousness of his condition and possible diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), RMF’s team, together with social welfare, took over the case. The boy was taken to get an x-ray, which showed consolidations of the lung area and hilar enlargement, consistent with a possible TB infection. As soon as diagnosis was made, the boy was admitted to the Hospital for Lung Diseases for further diagnostics.

Four days following his admission to the hospital, the boy escaped and decided to return to the Obrenovac Reception Centre. After numerous efforts to make a connection with him and build trust, RMF’s team finally managed to convince the boy to return to the hospital, where he was treated for TB. By providing persistent follow-up, RMF’s team was able to protect the boy and those around him.

Ensuring Proper Diabetes Therapy

29-year-old man

A 29-year-old man had been suffering from diabetes for two years. During an illegal crossing of the Serbian-Hungarian border, Hungarian police deliberately took his insulin and left him stranded on the Serbian side of the border. He was not able to purchase more injectable insulin, since it can be only acquired in pharmacies with a valid medical report signed by a state doctor. The young man was doing his best to maintain a proper diet, hoping to reach somebody who could help him. When he came to RMF, his glucose level was 15.2 mmol/L. He was taken to the health center in order to perform further laboratory tests and urine analyses. An appointment was made with the endocrinologist, and he received proper insulin therapy, preventing infinite complications that can be caused by untreated diabetes.

Diagnosis and Referral Lead to Recovery

18-year-old man from Afghanistan

An 18-year-old man from Afghanistan came to the RMF clinic with abdominal pain, maculopapular rash/purpura, and generalized joint pain. The patient also reported loss of appetite and vomiting blood. Based on the clinical presentation, RMF doctors diagnosed Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and referred the patient to the ER. After we spent the night in the ER with the patient, he was finally admitted to the intensive care unit with the diagnosis of HSP, and treatment with corticosteroids was started. We are very glad to report that the patient recovered well.

Patient Treated for Self-Inflicted Wounds

18-year-old man

Adolescents are observed to have a higher incidence of self-harm injuries than other populations, and a significant association has been made between deliberate self-harm, low self-esteem, mental issues, and drug and alcohol abuse. These issues are exacerbated by the displacement of refugee and migrant youths.

An 18-year-old patient came to RMF’s clinic with fifteen self-inflicted wounds on his lower left arm. He admitted that he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he burned himself with a cigarette three days before. Since the event occurred, he had not seen a doctor. The wounds were red, painful, and swollen, and the patient had a fever. We treated his wounds and infection, but the young man refused any psychosocial help.