Doctors in France are illegally charging migrants hundreds of euros in return for certificates that state they suffer medical conditions entitling them to stay in the country, a charity alleged on Monday, reports The Telegraph.
The accusation came less than a week after a doctor at a leading Paris hospital was suspended and placed under investigation by public prosecutors for allegedly charging migrants for medical certificates.
According to Cimade, one of the main agencies working with refugees, there is evidence that such practices are widespread.
Some medical certificates are believed to state falsely that migrants have conditions that mean they cannot be deported under French law.
Others are genuine, but charging for them is illegal under French law, which stipulates all migrants, including irregular migrants, should receive free treatment under the state medical aid system.
Last week a doctor at the largest public hospital in Paris, La Pitié Salpêtrière, was suspended after being accused of repeatedly taking money from migrants for such certificates. A charity volunteer informed hospital authorities, who referred the case to prosecutors.
The hospital management said an internal investigation “led to the supposition that other patients in comparable situations may also have been induced to make such payments”. It did not specify the number of patients or doctors believed to be involved.