The hospital policy meant the companions of women giving birth had to wear a ‘maternity garment’ for hygiene purposes. This could only be purchased from the hospital for a price that was too expensive for low-income families in an underdeveloped region of Hungary where there is a high density of Romani families.

The hospital claimed that their policy was to ask companions to offer a donation to the hospital’s foundation in exchange for the maternity clothing. However a survey carried out by a local organisation found that in practice, this donation was obligatory, and forced Romani mothers who were unable to pay to give birth alone.

“It was a very bad experience” says 42-year-old Rita, a Romani woman from the area in an interview with the ERRC about her visits to the maternity ward. “I was very stressed because I could not get in to see my under-age daughter, when I was supposed to be there – it was a bad feeling that I could not be by her side, and I could hear her on the phone: “Mom, help me! Come in!” I felt very bad, so I called the doctor to ask him: “I would pay for the attire, just allow me in!” And the doctor told me: “No! It’s not possible.” 

Link: http://www.errc.org/press-releases/errc-ends-discriminatory-hospital-charges-affecting-romani-mothers

The Vice President of the Government of Serbia prof. Dr. Zoran Mihailovic, during his chairing of the third session with the Coordinative body for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy for Social Inclusion of Roma in Serbia (2016-2025), where the implementation of projects for inclusion of Roma and preparation of a new Action Plan and implementation of durable housing solutions and infrastructure improvements in Roma settlements.
At the same time, it was discussed about the establishment of regional standards for responsible budgeting of the policy for inclusion of Roma.

Mihajlovic stressed that the Government of Serbia is committed to the inclusion of the Roma community in the society, which implies better conditions in the areas of employment, social protection, education, health and housing.

She informed the members of the Coordinative Body that at the moment a project for improvement of the infrastructure and housing conditions in the Roma settlements in 13 cities and municipalities worth over 9 million Euros is being implemented, and that through the new IPA programs will be provided 20 million euros for social housing and employment of Roma.

Link: http://romaworld.rs/3-miliona-evra-za-bolji-zivot-romske-zajednice-u-srbiji/?fbclid=IwAR1QeLvFcvAkzopdBZVwmTcb43cGUBAf_rHdpmtsoaj5RSN2SeVIHe3llEw