The health ministry on Tuesday announced it has made some changes for asylum seekers wanting treatment at state hospitals.

In a written announcement, the ministry said the changes went into force on Monday.

The ministry said that asylum seekers who are in their first year from their application will be accepted in state hospitals upon presentation of the ‘Confirmation of Submission of an Application for International Protection’ document, issued by the Asylum Service, instead of a hospital identity card.

Specifically, the one year begins from the date their application was submitted, as it is written in the upper left-hand side of the document in question.

A hospital identity card will also be accepted if it is presented, the ministry added.

After the end of the first year, asylum seekers will no longer be able to register using the document, and must have and show a hospital identity card, which they must arrange as soon as possible, it finally said.