Avicenne hospital: from a tradition of welcome to new ways of accompanying patients

The tradition of welcoming "foreigners" at Avicenne Hospital, located in an area with the highest proportion of migrants in France (up to 25%), is symbolized by its name, that of a famous 11th century Arab physician.
Among the patients seen in the hospital, the proportion of migrants, mainly originating from Africa, is close to 50%. Specific services have already been developed such as a free outpatient clinic for illegal residents or people without social insurance, an ethno-psychiatry clinic, and a travel clinic for migrants returning to their country for holidays.
Several non-governmental organizations or community associations are involved in the hospital in order to improve the well-being of migrant inpatients during their stay. Services offered include translation and cultural mediation, African meals, community support, and help for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The determination of Avicenne Hospital to continue to find ways of improving communication, understanding and respect with regard to migrant patients is expressed in several projects such as a "teenagers' house,", an "omnibus" (a bus with a socio-medical team reaching out to people in their neighbourhoods) as well as training and periods devoted to reflection and inter-personal encounters for both patients and health professionals.