The reason why these Australian doctors are offering free surgery
Nov 3, 2024
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Dr. Mohamed Amr, co-founder of the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association, sheds light on the incredible efforts of Australian doctors providing free medical care to Palestinians fleeing Gaza. He discusses the severe healthcare barriers these refugees face due to restrictive visas that deny access to basic services. Amr shares poignant stories of surgeries performed on those with devastating injuries and emphasizes the urgent need for government support and a fairer healthcare response, highlighting the stark contrast with assistance given to Ukrainian refugees.
Australian volunteer doctors are providing free medical care to Palestinian refugees, addressing healthcare gaps caused by restrictive visa statuses.
The Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association has mobilized a network of professionals to assist over 400 patients lacking essential healthcare services.
Deep dives
Australian Doctors Offering Free Medical Care
A network of Australian volunteer doctors is providing essential free medical care to Palestinians fleeing the violence in Gaza. These doctors come from various backgrounds and are unified by their commitment to humanitarian efforts, offering pro bono services to those who arrive in Australia on visitor visas. With around 1,300 Palestinians now in Australia, many lack access to healthcare as their visa status does not allow them to receive support from the public health system. The volunteer doctors have stepped in to fill this gap, treating a spectrum of urgent and chronic medical needs, reflecting their dedication to support a marginalized community in crisis.
Shifts in Focus and Service Delivery
The Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANSMA) initially aimed to provide medical assistance in Gaza itself but shifted focus following the influx of Palestinian refugees to Australia. This change was necessitated by the realization that many new arrivals lacked essential healthcare access due to their immigration status. Since its establishment, PANSMA has coordinated a response that includes registering around 400 patients in need of medical services and handling thousands of requests. The organization has mobilized volunteers, including GPs, specialists, and allied health professionals, to ensure those affected receive the care they require.
Trauma-Informed Care and Generosity of Volunteers
The trauma experienced by Palestinian patients is profound, often stemming from war-related injuries and mental health struggles. For instance, accounts of patients show the severity of their conditions, with one individual losing ten family members in an attack and requiring extensive orthopedic surgery, which would have cost around $70,000. The generosity of healthcare volunteers, who perform surgeries at no cost and even travel to provide at-home care, highlights a strong sense of community support amidst these dire circumstances. However, concerns regarding compassion fatigue among volunteers are emerging, prompting calls for governmental assistance to sustain the vital services being offered.
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Deep Dive: A network of volunteer doctors in Australia are stepping up to provide free medical care for Palestinians who have fled Gaza.
From performing surgeries on patients with amputated limbs to treating chronic illness, they are stepping in where the government has fallen short, in part due to visas provided for those fleeing not allowing access to healthcare.
One of these doctors is Dr Mohamed Amr. He is the co-founder of the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA). In this exclusive conversation, he joins Antoinette Lattouf in this episode of The Briefing to talk about PANZMA’s work, the devastating suffering he’s witnessed, the hope his work is providing to those in need, and what more he wants the government to do.
Despite repeated inquiries from The Briefing, DFAT has failed to disclose how many Palestinian refugees are granted access to healthcare or provide a comparison of the visa types granted to Israeli and Ukrainian refugees. In stark contrast to the comprehensive support extended to Ukrainians escaping violence, the majority of the 1,300 Palestinian patients are only on visitor visas. These visas strip them of the right to access health benefits, study, or work, leaving them unable to secure even the most basic medical care.