Local charitable foundation Oulun Diakonissalaitos (ODL) is planning to open a health clinic for illegal immigrants. The clinic would provide services such as diagnosis, guidance and care to patients who cannot use the regular national health services because of lack of proper documentation or fear of being deported.
“The board of trustees has already agreed to the idea,” says Hannu Rahikainen, head of health services at ODL.
ODL will provide the facilities, but actual operations will be taken care of by a workforce composed of volunteer doctors and nurses.
In addition, the foundation might also provide the legal services.
“I think that this spring will decide whether there are enough willing volunteers for the project. But let's not get our hopes too high just yet.”
The clinic could feasibly be up and running in the immediate future, provided enough volunteers come forward.
