Medical care a fundamental human right for asylum seekers: AMA
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that the Federal Government should issue temporary Medicare cards to all asylum seekers in Australia to allow them access to basic medical care.
Dr Phelps said today, World Refugee Day, was an appropriate time for the Government to act to change the current Federal policy, which effectively denies hundreds of asylum seekers a fundamental human right.
"In the meantime, small groups of doctors and other health professionals have responded to the problem by volunteering their time and expertise to assist these people," Dr Phelps said.
"But this is a temporary and unsatisfactory solution.
"There are asylum seekers living in the community awaiting decisions on applications for temporary and permanent protection visas who have no money or other means to gain access to doctors or hospitals for basic or emergency health care.
"There are pregnant women and sick children in need of medical attention on a daily basis.
"Many of these people have fled from their home country because they were victims of torture and may be suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress.
"Their protection applications may take many months, if not years, to process. They need the medical treatment that is currently denied them through official channels.
"It is World Medical Association policy that governments should not deny patients the right to receive adequate medical treatment, nor should doctors be prevented from administering this treatment. In Britain, refugees and asylum seekers are exempt from charges for medical treatment under the National Health Scheme.
"In Australia, the AMA is concerned for the health of all people, irrespective of culture, ethnicity, religion or political beliefs. The Australian Government must provide the same access to medical care for all people in Australia, regardless of their civil status - prisoners, detainees, and asylum seekers included.
"The Government should be providing the fundamental human right of medical care to asylum seekers, instead of leaving it to committed volunteer doctors," Dr Phelps said.
Dr Rohan Vora, a Brisbane doctor involved in organising volunteer medical care for asylum seekers, is available for comment and can be contacted via the numbers below.
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CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Bucknell (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076