Discrimination also occurs in healthcare, for example through unequal treatment, offensive remarks, language barriers, or a lack of accessibility. Everyone has the right to equal and respectful medical care — regardless of origin, language, religion, gender, sexual identity, disability, or age.
Which Laws Protect Me in Healthcare?
- Grundgesetz (Basic Law), Article 3: All people are equal before the law
- Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG) (General Equal Treatment Act): Also prohibits discrimination in medical practices, pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare settings
- Sozialgesetzbuch V (SGB V) (Social Code Book V): Regulates equal treatment in healthcare. Doctors, health insurance providers, and hospitals must treat patients equally regardless of origin, gender, language, or religion
Which Examples of Discrimination Are There?
- Condescending or derogatory comments (offensive remarks) by medical staff
- Lack of understanding or rejection because of language, origin, or religion
- Lack of accessibility or unequal treatment of people with disabilities
- Poorer care or insufficient information provided to certain groups
Wo bekomme ich Hilfe bei Diskriminierung?
Bei der Landesstelle für Gleichbehandlung – gegen Diskriminierung findest du die richtige Beratungsstelle.
Who Supports Me with Complaints?
- Ärztekammer (Medical Association) helps you file a complaint and reviews your case
- Unabhängige Patientenberatung Deutschland (UPD) (Independent Patient Counseling Germany) offers you free and neutral counseling if you have problems in the healthcare system
- Hospitals are legally obliged to take patient complaints seriously. Under § 135a paragraph 2 number 2 SGB V, they must establish a patient-oriented complaints management system
What Can I Do If I Am Affected?
- Seek a conversation: Address the situation if possible. Sometimes a misunderstanding can be clarified
- Document the incident: Note the date, time, location, people involved, witnesses, and exactly what happened
- File a complaint : You can contact the responsible medical association or the hospital’s patient representation office
- Seek counseling: Anti-discrimination organizations and patient counseling services provide free and confidential support
