Every day is a sorry day for indigenous health
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said the AMA today acknowledges the plight of many Indigenous Australians and the impact that past events have had on the health and wellbeing of many Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.
On Sorry Day Dr Glasson said the continued underfunding of Indigenous health is a sad indictment of how we treat Indigenous Australians.
"The AMA is calling for an injection of an extra $300 million into Aboriginal health," Dr Glasson said.
"The Government committed just $10 million a year over four years in this year's budget.
"The budget surplus is healthy. Let's commit a small portion of that money to make a big difference to the health of Indigenous Australians.
"We must do whatever it takes to fund services and facilities to bring the health of Indigenous Australians up to the standards of the developed world.
"We owe this to Australia's first people.
"The appalling health statistics of Australia's Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders are well known. The percentage of Indigenous Australians living to the age of 65 is worse than Bangladesh, Thailand and many other developing countries.
"We fall way behind Canada, New Zealand and the USA in improving the lot of our Indigenous people.
"Proper funding will make a difference but we must improve the way the funding is allocated. There are many dynamic individuals out there doing a mighty job. Real change is possible with adequate resources," Dr Glasson said.
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306