Launch Position Statement on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, today launched the AMA's Position Statement on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. In doing so he called for direct involvement of Indigenous people in determining the healthcare they require and the manner in which those services are provided.
The statement describes the disadvantage that exists in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and sets down principles to help address this.
"Indigenous Australians suffer a disproportionate burden of illness and social disadvantage compared to the general population, dying up to 20 years earlier than their non-Indigenous brothers and sisters. This is a gap which has not lessened in the last 10 years," Dr Haikerwal said.
"The chances of a non-Indigenous person reaching 65 years of age are just under 90 per cent.
"The chances of an Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander woman reaching 65 are 35 per cent and 25 per cent for a man. This is worse than in Nigeria, Nepal and Bangladesh.
"Most Indigenous Australians' experience of the health system has been problematic, especially when care solutions have been imposed without consultation and involvement.
"But there are excellent models of care delivery within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities where they have had advice to inform them of valid and reasonable expectations and choices.
"A lot of good work is being done in many communities in regional, remote and urban Australia, through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled services.
"Specialist and hospital care is often frightening and incomprehensible. It is set up in a way that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities find confronting.
"There are good models that lessen the significant impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when they are treated in large hospitals a long way from home. These need to be reflected nationwide.
"The statement repeats the AMA's call for governments to correct the under funding of health care services provided to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
"I have just returned from North Queensland where I visited a number of Aboriginal health services. Each service has multiple sources of funding secured through tortuous processes. This unnecessarily complicates the administration and detracts from the focus on healthcare delivery.
"Fact is stranger than fiction when it comes to the manner in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been funded. The AMA believes most Australians are unaware of the way the system currently runs, which - unaltered - is destined to keep failing.
"The AMA calls on each level of government to review how they fund these services, the amount that is funded and the need for that funding to reflect the needs and demands that have grown without increases in funding to match.
"We can highlight successes such as the maternal and child health program in the Townsville Aboriginal Health Service. We must use these to inform and guide directions in health care.
"I believe there is significant public support and the will from Governments to address the health problems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders," Dr Haikerwal said.
A copy of the Position Statement is attached and is also available at www.ama.com.au.
5 October 2005
CONTACT: Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, (0407) 599 332
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306