Media Release
20 June 2008
Improve health care for refugees on World Refugee Day
All refugees, regardless of the status of their application or visa, should have immediate access to the same health services enjoyed by all Australians, the ANF said today (20 June 2008) on World Refugee Day.
ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said while the federal government’s current review of immigration and detention centres was welcome, immediate steps should be taken to improve the health and welfare of the most vulnerable people in the refugee community.
“People on temporary bridging visas and those waiting for their immigration status to be determined must have access to Medicare and the PBS. These services should accommodate cultural and language differences. It is important that the health professionals treating refugees have information about the experiences they have had before coming to Australia. These conditions will undoubtedly impact on the health and welfare of refugees.”
Thousands of refugees were denied access to adequate health services as a result of previous immigration policies and this should not be continued, Ms Kearney said.
“It is not acceptable that refugees have to rely on charity and pro bono medical services in order to maintain their health. Australia has both a moral and legal obligation under international law to care for and protect refugees and that obligation is clearly not being met when people can’t access health care services.”
Medical services for asylum seekers still in detention should also immediately be improved and expanded, Ms Kearney said.
“We know enough about the mental and physical health problems affecting refugees, particularly children. Many of these problems arise from simply being kept in detention. Nurses, midwives and all health professionals must be allowed to meet their professional standards in the provision of health care. They should not be required to carry out any procedures, treatments or investigations that violate or compromise those standards. Ultimately we would like to see people moved out of detention as quickly as possible and settled in the community with access to all the basic necessities of life, including health care.”
Media inquiries:
Gerardine (Ged) Kearney, ANF Federal Secretary, 0417 053 322
Libby Muir, ANF Communications Officer, 0413 834 979
The ANF, representing nearly 160,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in