Discrimination against foreigners is institutionalised in South Africa's health care system
"Migrants to South Africa are abused in transit, attacked upon arrival, and then denied care when they are injured or ill," said Rebecca Shaeffer, a health campaigner for the group.
"The South African government should be ensuring that these people get the care they need, and are entitled to, under the country's constitution," she said in a statement.
A new report by Human Rights Watch detailed how harassment, lack of documentation and fear of deportation prevent many migrants from seeking medical treatment - even though South Africa legally guarantees a right to health care for everyone physically in the country.
Millions of people from trouble spots such as Somalia, Zimbabwe and Sudan have fled to South Africa over the last decade to search for a better life.
But many are not aware of their legal rights and fear they will be deported to authorities if they turn to the public health system. Health care workers also routinely deny care to migrants, the report said.
"Discrimination against foreigners is institutionalised in South Africa's health care system," Schaeffer said. "People seeking care should not be subjected to abuse."
Last year, more than 60 people were killed and tens of thousands fled their homes when anti-immigrant violence erupted across South Africa, mainly in poor neighbourhoods where foreigners were accused of stealing scarce jobs and committing crimes.
VinceRSA