Australian federal government is facing calls to give Medicare benefits to several thousand community-based asylum seekers.
A survey has revealed that a number of asylum seekers who are waiting on the federal government to make a decision whether they can stay in Australia find it difficult to obtain healthcare services because they're not qualified for subsidised treatment under Medicare. Researchers from the University of NSW questioned a small number of community-based asylum seekers who explained troubles covering private general practitioners and medicine. Many had to wait weeks to see a GP and as a result undergone stress and anxiety, plus a damage in their health. One asylum seeker who had a history of coronary disease discontinued taking his blood pressure medicine as he could no more afford to pay for it.
The researchers said while state policies on delivering hospital care to community-based asylum seekers had improved, the federal government should provide Medicare qualification to widen the provision of health services. "Access to primary care can be enhanced by offering Medicare eligibility to all asylum seekers," the study team from the university's Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity wrote in a study published by the Medical Journal of Australia. "This is not likely to add significantly to the expense of medical care process, and would bring Australia's policy into line with that of similar countries."
Over 8000 asylum seekers lodged protection visas in 2009/10. The majority of arrived in Australia on valid visas and lived locally when their applications were processed. However, while many had a range of illness issues, including continual and transmittable medical conditions as well as psychological problems, they weren't allowed Medicare services.
The Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme managed by the Australian Red Cross provides some assistance to community-based asylum seekers needing to access health services. However experts said not all asylum seekers were allowed to get support under the system. When they surveyed the number of 12 asylum seekers from South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East and East Asia, who were now based in NSW, only several were qualified to apply for Medicare.
People that were ineligible were unwilling to go to a doctor simply because they couldn't pay the bill. Individuals that used a GP through charitable groups commonly simply had to wait months to have an appointment, with one young pregnant woman made to wait half a year. Nurses and doctors interviewed by the experts also described that negotiating pro-bono care for asylum seekers was difficult and inefficient.
A distinguished immigration lawyer in Sydney and refugee advocate Mr. Christopher Levingston said that the government must open up Medicare health insurance admittance rights for the asylum seekers. "Not accomplishing so would just deteriorate the situation", he added.
A survey has revealed that a number of asylum seekers who are waiting on the federal government to make a decision whether they can stay in Australia find it difficult to obtain healthcare services because they're not qualified for subsidised treatment under Medicare. Researchers from the University of NSW questioned a small number of community-based asylum seekers who explained troubles covering private general practitioners and medicine. Many had to wait weeks to see a GP and as a result undergone stress and anxiety, plus a damage in their health. One asylum seeker who had a history of coronary disease discontinued taking his blood pressure medicine as he could no more afford to pay for it.
The researchers said while state policies on delivering hospital care to community-based asylum seekers had improved, the federal government should provide Medicare qualification to widen the provision of health services. "Access to primary care can be enhanced by offering Medicare eligibility to all asylum seekers," the study team from the university's Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity wrote in a study published by the Medical Journal of Australia. "This is not likely to add significantly to the expense of medical care process, and would bring Australia's policy into line with that of similar countries."
Over 8000 asylum seekers lodged protection visas in 2009/10. The majority of arrived in Australia on valid visas and lived locally when their applications were processed. However, while many had a range of illness issues, including continual and transmittable medical conditions as well as psychological problems, they weren't allowed Medicare services.
The Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme managed by the Australian Red Cross provides some assistance to community-based asylum seekers needing to access health services. However experts said not all asylum seekers were allowed to get support under the system. When they surveyed the number of 12 asylum seekers from South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East and East Asia, who were now based in NSW, only several were qualified to apply for Medicare.
People that were ineligible were unwilling to go to a doctor simply because they couldn't pay the bill. Individuals that used a GP through charitable groups commonly simply had to wait months to have an appointment, with one young pregnant woman made to wait half a year. Nurses and doctors interviewed by the experts also described that negotiating pro-bono care for asylum seekers was difficult and inefficient.
A distinguished immigration lawyer in Sydney and refugee advocate Mr. Christopher Levingston said that the government must open up Medicare health insurance admittance rights for the asylum seekers. "Not accomplishing so would just deteriorate the situation", he added.
