The Access to Healthcare Group emerged in 2021 during an Amsterdam City Rights (ACR) information meeting. Sitsi Toonders, Marion Grace Labasan, Hidaya Nampiima, Faisol Iskander, Mohammed Bah and Annette Kouwenhoven – part of the ACR coalition and representatives of (grassroot) organisations – started a collaboration with Athena Institute of the VU University, supervised by assistant professor Elena Syurina. Elena, Sitsi and Annette applied for funding to conduct Action Research in the Access to Healthcare. Research question: From problem analysis to new tactics and tools facilitating the access to healthcare for undocumented people (people from outside Europe) who are in need of basic medical assistance.
During the practical investigation the core group expanded with Utrecht (Migrante), Rotterdam (IMWU)by 2023. Erna, Dhynes, Ahmed, Patrick, Eunice, Lucien and Harvey joined.
As individuals, ngo’s and grassroots organizations we decided to change our name and started to formalise our cooperation. From Access to Healthcare Group to: Access to Healthcare Committee, @a2hc.
Our ongoing efforts in the access to healthcare are in loving memory of Harvey. He passed away in June 2023. He died of medical complications. He motivates us to keep on going to achieve proper and accessible healthcare for undocumented people. His memory remains, we say his name.
Core team: Athena students with members of the Indonesian Migrant Worker Union (IMWU), Migrante, Right to Create. Supportive of the committee are AHRU, OKIA Den Haag, BAK Utrecht, Pinay sa Holland Gabriela, Here to Support.