Medical risks during flight deportation of refugees

Several medical and psychological factors should be considered regarding refugees repatriated by aircraft to their home countries. Traumatized refugees warrant special concern, but differential treatment among western countries generates controversy. Austria generally accepts that traumatized refugees, especially those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), should not be subjected to forced repatriation. Medical professionals can play an important role in the recognition of the symptoms of PTSD. The treatment of refugees suffering from PTSD should be determined by treating physicians – forced repatriation could lead to retraumatization and worsening of symptoms. Treatment in the home countries from which they had fled might not reach acceptable standards of care.