AMA demands independent health assessments for asylum seekers
In a meeting with AMA President, Dr Michael Gannon, the Immigration Minister, Peter Dutton, ruled out facilitating an AMA–led group of independent medical experts to assess the health and wellbeing of the asylum seeker men on Manus Island – but pledged to enhance the levels of health care and the flow of information about the health of asylum seekers on Manus and more broadly.
The AMA has consistently called for strong urgent action and answers on the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers on Manus Island. At its meeting in November, the AMA Federal Council unanimously agreed that the Federal Government must provide comprehensive and transparent information on the health and living conditions of the asylum seekers currently residing on Manus Island. :
“Unfortunately, despite our strong arguments, the Government has at this stage rejected our request.”
Dr Gannon said that Minister Dutton promised the AMA that he would act immediately to activate enhancements to the healthcare services and the transparency of information regarding the health of asylum seekers, on a case by case basis.
“I told the Minister that the AMA would remain a strong advocate for asylum seekers, and that we would call out any injustices or any weakening of our human rights obligations,” Dr Gannon said.
