Health Inequities and Bureaucratic Barriers: Migrant Narratives in Italy's Healthcare System

This study examines the experiences of six Nigerian migrants navigating healthcare systems amid unstable legal and bureaucratic contexts in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Using narrative analysis informed by Geertz’s thick description, the research explores how structural inequalities - such as restrictive immigration policies, complex asylum processes, and fragmented healthcare services - intersect with cultural practices to shape access to care. Four key themes emerged: distrust of authorities, immovable structural barriers, the bootstraps narrative of self-reliance, and the bridging role of social networks. These findings underscore the multifaceted challenges migrants face in accessing healthcare and highlight the need for policies that address both systemic inequities and culturally informed strategies to achieve equitable care.