Information in Englisch
The Marien Ambulance
Primary health care for marginalised groups
In 1999 the primary health care centre "Marienambulanz" opened in Graz, a city with approx. 300.000 citizens. Since then the "Marienambulanz" has offered medical and social assistance free of charge, to Austrian and non-Austrian citizens; to people with or without insurance; to those who have very little or no access to medical care.
The "Marienambulanz" presents an example of a successful cooperation between general practitioners (mainly volunteers), specialists, nurses, other health professionals, NGOs, secondary health services and public institutions.
In the past 5 years about 3.500 persons from 70 nations have been counselled, treated or accompanied by the multilingual team. Every year the "Marienambulanz" provides a range of services to a growing number of women (65%) and men (35%), at the average age of 30 years, one third of them local people and two thirds foreigners.
Five days a week, the out-patient department is open for refugees, asylum seekers and other marginalised groups. The services include primary medical care, prevention and health promotion, psychological counselling, and further assistance with the integration into public health services, secondary care. Over the years the team has developed many strategies to meet the various needs of the target group. Specialists offer appointments for psychiatric disorders, diabetes and hypertension and a network of partners extends the range of free services and health promotion activities.
Two days a week, a doctor and a nurse practice at the street workers’ place, which is a contact point for punks, junkies and homeless young people. Besides general medicine the team offers e.g. HIV-testing and hepatitis immunisation.
Once a week a doctor and a nurse visit different places in Graz as a "mobile Marienambulanz", like street workers’ places, supported housings for street-dwelling homeless, a beggar project and other locations to serve various people belonging to the fringe groups of our society. All clients are treated anonymously and personally.
Even though the "Marienambulanz” offers medical assistance, it works with a broad definition of health. General practice, primary prevention and health promotion activities, counselling and social support are closely linked to address the needs of the significantly growing target groups.
