The health of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers settling in Melbourne’s west is set to be improved under a new action plan.
Health Minister David Davis released the Victorian Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health Action Plan 2014-2018 last Thursday, detailing a statewide approach to early health assessment and follow-up care for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers. Speaking at the launch at the Footscray Community Arts Centre, Mr Davis said the plan provided guidance and support to people from refugee backgrounds and people working in the health system.
“Refugees and asylum seekers arrive in Victoria with a legacy of poor or interrupted healthcare and many have endured torture, trauma or deprivations that can have ongoing impacts on health and well-being,” Mr Davis said. “So when refugees and asylum seekers arrive, they require comprehensive assessment and access to a full range of primary and specialist care.”
The partnership with the Victorian Refugee Health Network targets five priority areas, including accessibility, expertise in refugee health and communication.
Mr Davis said the $22.2 million, four-year program was the largest state investment in refugee and asylum seeker health in Australian history.
“The plan is important because it’s more than a plan; it’s a funded program for action.”
