The debate on the situation of healthcare in the Balearic Islands has reached the Parliament of the Balearic Islands this week, but the statements made during the session have generated a response from Doctors of the World. The organization has denounced that erroneous ideas about healthcare for the migrant population have been disseminated and has warned that some interventions are based on “falsities” or ignorance of reality.

Women between 25 and 44 years old, with low levels of education and family responsibilities. This is the predominant profile of prostitution in the Balearic Islands, according to a statement released Monday by Doctors of the World to raise awareness of the situation of women in prostitution on the occasion of November 25th – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The organization has assisted 1,215 prostitutes throughout 2025. "Prostitution is one of the most serious forms of gender-based violence and has profound consequences for the physical, sexual, and mental health of those who suffer it. It is a public health problem of epidemic proportions that demands the active involvement of healthcare systems," the statement reads. Doctors of the World warns of the impact that prostitution has "on the mental health" of the women who engage in it. "Among the most frequent consequences are depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep and eating problems, alcohol and other drug use, as well as self-harm and suicide attempts," the organization states. In the area of sexual and reproductive health, "unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy complications, miscarriages, hemorrhaging, chronic pelvic infections, and painful intercourse are common." According to the organization's data in the Canary Islands, most of these women are foreign nationals, from countries such as Colombia, Venezuela, and Paraguay. Many of them come from contexts of structural poverty or conflict zones. Furthermore, a high percentage are undocumented in the islands. This irregular status "limits their access to basic rights and essential public services, including healthcare." Thus, "it increases their vulnerability and dependence on exploitation networks." Doctors of the World also warns that, in recent years, there has been an increase in "the turnover of women in prostitution spaces due to the constant demand for sexual services." This prevents "their integration into society and hinders continuity of care," the statement notes. Doctors of the World considers prostitution "a form of gender-based violence and a manifestation of structural inequality inseparable from human trafficking for sexual exploitation." "This violence would not be possible without those who perpetrate and sustain it: the pimps, who profit by exploiting women, and the clients, whose demand fuels and perpetuates the prostitution system. Both are aggressors who contribute directly to the violation of women's rights, dignity, and freedom," the statement concludes.

Doctors of the World has recorded a total of 695 barriers to accessing healthcare in the Balearic Islands throughout 2025, of which 304 were administrative; 244, informational; 65, cultural; 52, economic; and 30, physical. This Friday, the organization held a conference entitled 'Universal Healthcare? Barriers to Accessing Public Healthcare in the Balearic Islands' at the University of the Balearic Islands, where it presented this data. In a press release, Doctors of the World warned about the difficulties that "still prevent full access" to public healthcare in the Islands, especially for "migrants and other vulnerable groups." In fact, they emphasized that although the right to health is recognized as universal, reality shows that "many vulnerable people encounter obstacles that prevent them from receiving healthcare on equal terms." In this regard, they emphasized that these barriers "are not mere isolated difficulties," but rather "structural problems" that particularly affect "migrants, large families, and socially vulnerable groups." Access barriers manifest themselves in various ways. First, there are administrative barriers, stemming from legal and administrative requirements, such as the requirement of registration and residency for more than three months. "This excludes those who cannot meet these conditions, forcing them to live in informal rentals, substandard housing, or even become homeless. This situation is exacerbated in cases of particular vulnerability, such as minors and pregnant women, who should have guaranteed access to healthcare without restrictions," they stated. Added to this is the "bureaucratization of the right," which requires additional procedures for foreign nationals, thus "unjustifiably delaying access." Economic barriers are another determining factor, given that many people suffer from pharmaceutical poverty, as they cannot afford medications, face 40% co-payments, or pay emergency room bills, creating a deterrent effect and jeopardizing their health. This is compounded by hidden costs such as transportation or uncovered medical supplies. Physical barriers also exist, such as a lack of nearby healthcare facilities, restricted opening hours, and architectural obstacles that prevent access for people with reduced mobility. These limitations particularly affect those who work in precarious conditions, unable to take time off for medical appointments. Furthermore, informational barriers reflect a lack of clear information about rights and procedures, with an absence of interpretation services and misinformation from administrative staff, who sometimes demand unforeseen requirements or unjustifiably deny access. This situation would be exacerbated by "racist behavior" and "verbal violence" towards migrants and racialized people.