Bergitka Roma (Mountain Romanis) is the poorest group of Roma in Poland. Most of them are excluded from major society; their educational level is very low. They are also least respected by other Roma groups. We were implementing Pilot Government Program for Roma Community in Malopolska for 2001 – 2003 health situation of Roma families living in submontane regions was very alarming. Serious health problems resulted among other things, from low standard of hygiene and extremely poor social conditions, also limited access to health services.

The Roma minority is one of the most excluded ethnic groups in Europe, in spite of commitments assumed under the Decade of Roma Inclusion. The pervasive marginalization of Roma population is also mirrored by health inequality which can be evidenced by socio-medical indicators such as prevalence of major causes of death, prevalence of infant mortality, low birth weight and prematurity in Roma children or life expectancy.

Access to health care is a right guaranteed to every citizen by Macedonian constitution, respective national healthcare legislation and ratified international documents. The constitutional and legal stipulations provide for geographic and physical access (through a network of healthcare institutions on primary, secondary and tertiary level) and financial access, guaranteed through the universal health insurance coverage of the basic benefits package, based on the principles of equity and solidarity.

An 8-year era of interrupted indigenous measles transmission in Bulgaria came to an end in April 2009 when a large epidemic occurred that would eventually claim 24 253 cases and 24 deaths; infants, children and young adults of the Roma community were disproportionally affected. Compared with Western Europe, case-fatality rate and proportion of medical complications were uncharacteristically high.