Migrant cabaret dancers who hold an L permit must have a medical check up upon arrival. Medical checks are conducted in order to assess a person’s the capability for night-time employment and do not entail STI/HIV testing. They take place at the beginning of the first job in Switzerland and must be renewed every two years. They are conducted by physicians in health centres are paid for by the employer. Health insurance is compulsory for those living in Switzerland for more than three months, even for those without a formal residence permit. Compulsory basic insurance covers treatment costs in the event of illness or accident. Those insured have the right to treatment, care and accommodation in the general ward of a hospital; for the medical costs during pregnancy and for childbirth are also covered.

All insured persons are obliged to pay into the health system. Payments are made in the form of monthly premiums, a personal contribution and a fixed annual rate. If a person’s income is below a certain level they are entitled to a reduction or financial support for these costs through the social welfare system.

Health and medical treatment are universal human rights. According to the Swiss Federal Constitution, every person staying in Switzerland has the right to medical treatment in an emergency, including medical attention in life-threatening situations. Art. 12 of the Swiss Federal Constitution states: ‘Persons in need and unable to provide for themselves have the right to assistance and care and to the financial means required for a decent standard of living’. This right also applies to migrant and undocumented sex workers. Additionally, all hospitals and physicians in Switzerland are obliged to provide care in case of emergency. Some cities have special services for undocumented and uninsured persons.

All Swiss nationals have the right to HIV/AIDS treatment. Due to the extremely high costs, it is very difficult for uninsured foreigners to gain access to HIV/AIDS treatment. Sometimes doctors, hospitals and HIV organizations provide free treatment for those living with HIV, but only for a very limited period of time.

Since the 1980s, aseptic injections have been available to drug users. This medication can be obtained in pharmacies throughout Switzerland. There are also a substantial number of contact points that provide medication, clean needles, condoms etc. These contact points also provide information and advice on HIV, hepatitis and STI prevention, sanitary drug use and safer sex. There is a large network of contact points and information centres offering primary care for drug users, meals, medical care and the possibility to use sanitary facilities. Many also provide spaces for safe consumption. The offers are generally open to migrant sex workers as well, but language barriers, fear greater discrimination and stigmatization often discourage them from using the facilities available.

Health insurance is required in order to take part in methadone/heroin programmes. Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for migrants are encouraged more and more and the number of free local programmes offering anonymous hepatitis vaccinationsare increasing, especially in larger towns.

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