15 Feb 2019

Refugee healthcare deficient on Manus, Nauru - doctor

From , 5:04 am on 15 February 2019

An Australian doctor, who collected the signatures of 6000 colleagues in support of the Urgent Medical Transfer Bill, says her country has not provided adequate healthcare for refugees it detains offshore.

The bill, which was made law this week in Australia, takes power from bureaucrats and gives it to doctors to order medical transfers to Australia for sick refugees.

The doctor, Sydney GP and mother Sara Townend, told Ben Robinson Drawbridge Australia is responsible for the health of refugees on Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.

A suicidal refugee is taken to hospital from one of the detention centres on Manus Island.

A suicidal refugee is taken to hospital from one of the detention centres on Manus Island. Photo: Facebook / Giorgio Licini