Germany necessitates admitting patients with significant risks
The health situation on the Greek island of Lesbos remains extremely tense, with many children and adults suffering from skin diseases such as scabies and an increase in diarrhea due to the lack of clean water. Dr. Gerhard Trabert, a homeless doctor from Mainz, has expressed concern about the absence of medical care, fearing that without immediate aid, refugees may die from preventable diseases.
Amidst this dire situation, migrant arrivals on Lesbos have drastically decreased compared to previous years. Greek authorities are restricting migrant access and imposing tough regulations on humanitarian aid delivery. New camps are being constructed but face local opposition due to concerns like wildfire risk.
European countries, including Germany, are not reported as currently undertaking urgent evacuation of high-risk refugees from Lesbos. The focus now is on containment and controlled reception, a shift from earlier years when evacuation calls were more urgent. Broader EU border and migration policies have hardened, and interception efforts are increasing rather than evacuation or resettlement.
Dr. Trabert, who has provided humanitarian aid in various crisis areas around the world, is calling for Germany to accept up to 2,000 high-risk refugees from the burned-down Moria camp on Lesbos. He claims that the refugees are currently living on the streets and in olive groves, with chronically ill individuals among them who no longer have access to medication for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
The doctor's concern about the infection risk prevents him from providing immediate medical aid, but he continues to plead for action. Many refugees are still heavily traumatized, some for the second time due to the fire and the war. Without immediate medical aid, the situation on Lesbos could deteriorate further, highlighting the urgent need for action from the international community.
[1] Source: Various news reports from August 2025. [5] Source: dpa photo of Dr. Gerhard Trabert.
- Apart from the ongoing health crisis, the situation on Lesbos also highlights the importance of mental health, with many refugees still heavily traumatized, some for the second time due to the fire and the war.
- In the realm of health and wellness, chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes pose a significant threat to the refugees livingon the streets and in olive groves on Lesbos.
- The medical-conditions affecting the refugees on Lesbos are not limited to skin diseases and diarrhea; chronic diseases, respiratory conditions, and even mental health issues are also prevalent among them.
- Despite urgent calls in earlier years, European politics, including German decisions, have shifted from evacuation to containment and controlled reception, a change reflected in the reduction of migrant arrivals on Lesbos.
- In his plea for immediate aid, Dr. Gerhard Trabert draws attention to the lack of CBD (cannabidiol) products, often used in skin care, which could potentially help manage some of the skin diseases affecting the refugees.
- The political landscape not only influences migration policies and border control, but it also affects war and conflicts, as shown by the example of refugees on Lesbos experiencing a lack of medical care due to hardened EU border policies.
