Roma Leaders, The End of Roma People

In my three years of social activism on behalf of the Roma people I have encountered many stories supporting the above affirmation. Today I will share with you just one.

In 2012, for the first time since I started documenting the plight of the Roma people in Romania, one of the major Roma NGOs in Romania asked me if I could make a video documentary about discrimination against Roma in access to healthcare.

I was already contemplating the idea of working on a photographic documentary so this project resonated with me immediately. Unlike 99.9% of the Romanians, Roma ethnics included, instead of accepting to do something that is not normally my specialty (I am a photographer first and foremost, not a videographer), I declined the offer and I recommended instead a production house, the best professionals I knew at the time, who are more than capable of delivering such a material. I decided to accompany them, to work on my own documentary as they were working on their video material.

From the moment I introduced the two parties to each-other until the two actually started working together, the NGO acted in such unprofessional way we all wondered if it wouldn’t be better to just abandon the idea of doing this documentary altogether. But this is not about lack of communication skills or missed deadlines. I am here to talk to you about something worse: the lack of involvement in communities.

NGOs have long lost contact with the people they are supposed to represent. And saying that assumes they ever had it, which I strongly doubt.

I first realised that when I was in Baia Mare working on behalf of the Roma there, standing against a racist mayor all by myself, with no help from Roma NGOs. For those that don’t know who I am talking about: The Baia Mare mayor is infamous for turning a social housing complex into a ghetto by building a wall around it and forcibly evicting informal Roma settlements to a toxic site during elections season. An official representing the governmental National Agency for Roma praised these actions as “help” for the Roma people, and suggested that similar mayors should be installed in all major Romanian cities.

The Roma NGOs were no better than the government. Despite the notoriety of the case in the press, I had to call Roma NGO leaders myself to ask them to send someone to Baia Mare to provide legal assistance to those in need. They eventually sent two people who stayed in Baia Mare for less than 24 hours. I personally took the NGO representatives to everyone affected by the toxic chemicals. They took statements and promised litigation support. But because the NGOs made no further contacts with the local Roma, the victims, caught between the loan sharks and the mayor, decided to withdraw their complaints.

Later, when things calmed down, other corrupt Roma leaders and Roma government advisers visited Baia Mare and stated that there was no case of discrimination in Baia Mare.

It was a bitter experience but I thought, I wished it was an isolated incident.

Back to the health care documentary: For the first leg of the project we were supposed to Targu Jiu, Marza and Vartop. The only thing the NGO had to do in preparing this journey was to identify cases of Roma people that where discriminated and denied access to healthcare based on their ethnicity. Not only could we not find anyone who was even slightly dissatisfied with their doctor, but also, in most cases we encountered in these communities, people loved their doctors. Aside from not having a clinic in their own village, they couldn’t give real examples of discrimination.

Just to be clear: I am not saying such cases don’t exist. I have often encountered stories of discrimination in access to healthcare in the course of my own work. I am just saying that the NGO who sent us had no idea about what was going on in the communities they themselves sent us to. And it was not possible to do a documentary about discrimination for a client, an NGO allegedly fighting against discrimination, who is incapable of providing concrete examples.

We went home extremely disappointed. We wasted our time. The NGO wasted their money. They didn’t seem to care. I care, because I wasted my own money.

For the second leg we were supposed to visit several communities in Moldavia. To avoid another embarrassing situation, we asked the NGO to properly prepare for this visit, to identify and confirm real cases of discrimination.

The first community we visited was in Buhusi, near Bacau. Not only were there no complains against the doctor, but the doctor in Buhusi already implemented the electronic prescriptions system, benefiting the whole community, including the Roma. The only dubious thing I could find was a public bath for the Roma “colony” meant to “introduce” the community to water and rationalized soap. While I didn’t fancy the idea, the Roma people working for the NGO and other local Roma officials were very happy with the concept.

Poiana Negustorului was the last community I visited. Same story again. Not even the slightest trace of discrimination. The village was accessible only by means of an unpaved 6km road. On our way out, one of the NGO representatives tried to say that this is a case suitable for our story, because of the issue of the physical access to the village. In my opinion, knowing for a fact that there are many Roma and non-Roma communities in Romania with a far worst access than that, I doubt that an argument specific to Roma can be made in such cases. There are many Romanian citizens, both Roma and non-Roma, who find themselves in this situation.

After this last experience I decided to part with the team so I didn’t visit the last location. Ironically, according to my friends, in this last location they found a racist doctor and they interviewed people that confirmed that they were discriminated.

Like I said, I know for a fact that such cases exist. But this is not my point. My point is that an NGO send us halfway around the country to look for cases in communities they knew nothing about. The case the finally found was found by sheer luck. Knowledge or understanding of the situation on the ground has nothing to do with it.

Too busy to spend EU funds, Roma NGOs have long lost contact with local communities. This is why the moment of redemption for the poor Roma people and for us all is not even in sight.

Simion Filotia as seen inside their house in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian kids of Roma origins play football as seen in Poaina Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Kids play in Poiana Negustorului as seen on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Barbu Getta talks to younger girls about the disadvantages of being an underage mother, as seen in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Kids posing for the camera as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

General view of a neighbourhood inhabited many by Roma people as seen in Targu Jiu on February 17, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Simion Eugen (8) sits near the window, as seen in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian man of Roma origins tries to fix the stove so they can heat the ramshackle dwelling, as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Burcin Cristian (15) reacts emotionally after discussing his mother's death back in 2008, as seen in February 17, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Man caring a a bucket of water from the water well used by most of the villagers in Poiana Negustorului as seen on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanians of Roma origins talk about their experiences with the healthcare system as seen in Marza, Comuna Salcuta on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Roma kid as seen in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian of Roma origins attends to the horse wagon as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013.In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanians of Roma origins take out the horse wagon as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantn Claudia takes Denise from his grandmother as seen inside their house in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Woman hanging laundry to dry as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Recently purchased horse as seen in the yard of a romanian of Roma origins in Buhusi on March 19, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Vaduva Oliver listens to his parents and uncles talking about the circumstances in which his aunt lost her life wile delivering a dead-newborn, as seen in Targu Jiu on February 17, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian woman of Roma origins (holding baby) talks about the difficulties in attending the needs of her blind and mentally challenged daughter (far left) as seen inside their house in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian kid of Roma origins plays with an improvised jumping rope as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Roma kids seen playing in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Horses tied to a wagon as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Woman walks by late night in Targu Jiu on February 2013, in a neighbourhood mainly inhabited by Roma people. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian kid of Roma origins plays with a tree swing as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Roma Baldovin Zaiazin (middle) and Baldovin Cornel (right) talk about the death of their sister back in 2008, allegedly as a result of malpractice, as seen in Targu Jiu on February 17, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Iuliana Mariana holding one of her twin girls as seen in Marza on February 18, 2012. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

People seen in front of their house in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Iulian rocks to sleep her twins, Elena and Roberta, as seen in her aunt house in Marza on February 18 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Loredana as seen inside her mother in law house in Marza on February 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanians of Roma origins seen in the backyard of their house in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Simion Filotia, age 77 sits on the bed, as seen in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian girl of Roma origins gets water from a neighbour, as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Roma Vaduva Oliver and his father Vaduva Costel interact with their pigeons, as seen in Targu Jiu on February 17, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Horse in the stables as seen in Poaina Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

MARZA, ROMANIA - FEB 18: Simion Filotia, age 77, attend to her nephew Denis Alexandru (7 months), in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners. © Mugur Varzariu

Teenager caring a a bucket of water from the water well used by most of the villagers in Poiana Negustorului as seen on March 18, 2013.In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Iuliana (middle) talks about the issues regarding healthcare access, as seen in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanians of Roma origins as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian teenagers of Roma origins fix a horseshoe as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Simion Filotia rock little Denis on her feet to sleep, as seen inside their house in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian kids of Roma origins as seen in Buhusi on March 19, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian kids of Roma origins as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Roma woman seen inside a ramshackle dwelling in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian man of Roma origins dumps the garbage in the back of his yard, as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Simion Filotia rests on the bed while her nephew watches TV, as seen inside their house in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian kids of Roma origins as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013.In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian and father of Roma origins points at his daughter and explains their poor living conditions as seen in Buhusi on March 18, 2013.In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Claudia breastfeeds Denis as seen inside their house in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Horses feeding as seen in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Orphan Burcin Cristian (15) seen returning home in Targu jiu on February 17, 2013. His mother died in 2008, during childbirth, allegedly due to medical negligence as a direct result of being of Roma origins. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian kids of Roma origins playing football as seen in Buhusi on March 19, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Claudia Anisoara holding one of her 5 children , as seen inside their house in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Iuliana Mariana (breastfeeding) and Constantin Miluta Loredana (pregnant) as seen in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Expecting Constantin Loredana as seen inside her mother in law house, in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Constantin Iuliana holds one of her twin baby girls, as her aunt hold the other, as seen inside her aunt house in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Romanian of Roma origins making brooms as seen in the backyard of their house in Poiana Negustorului on March 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Simion Filotia, age 77 and Daniel sit on the bed, as seen in Marza on February 18, 2013. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Burcin Cristian visits the grave of his late mother Baldovin Valerica as seen in Targu Jiu on February 17, 2013. Allegedly, his mother was not attended properly by the doctors during delivery as a result of being of Roma origins. In today's Romania there are many barriers facing Roma in access to health care, including structural disadvantages resulting from the operation of general policies and administrative practices such as the disproportionate exclusion of Roma from health insurance; barriers to access to health care and other disparate impacts on the health of Roma stemming from continuing discrimination in other areas such as education, housing and employment, as well as from discriminatory practices by health care practitioners.

Baia Mare

Eforie Sud

Tinca

Cuza Voda