Indigenous health funding must be a community priority
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today calls on all Australians to make a commitment to improving the appalling state of Indigenous health by supporting moves to increase funding at state and territory levels.
Dr Glasson makes the call in the lead up to today's launch of the Indigenous Health Rights Campaign by Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) at Government House in Sydney.
"All Australians should feel ashamed that one group of people in our community faces a health reality worse than many third world countries," Dr Glasson said.
"Indigenous people are admitted to hospital at twice the rate of non indigenous people.
"This group suffers much higher rates of renal disease, diabetes, injury and poisoning than other Australians. Their life expectancy is 20 years less than other Australians.
"Good policy exists, but it's time that policy translates into expanded services and training.
"As a community, we need to make a commitment that we will no longer tolerate the intolerable.
"We must support whatever funding it takes to address the existing inequities.
"We need more trained health workers at all levels - Indigenous health workers, Indigenous doctors and support staff such as planners, managers and accountants.
"Indigenous health is not a discretionary expense.
"As a community we must find funds to train the staff urgently needed for a high quality primary health care system.
"Funding is part of the equation, access is the other.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must have access to mainstream health services like the PBS, MBS and public hospitals.
"Indigenous people are forced to navigate an alien health structure that is too often counter-cultural.
"Our systems have to be modified to make sure all Australians get access to the health care they need," Dr Glasson said.
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306