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Migration Amendment Bills Raise Alarming Health Concerns for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The Australian government’s recent Migration Amendment Bills have sparked widespread concern among health professionals and human rights advocates, citing risks to refugees’ mental health and access to essential healthcare. Proposed changes include tighter visa requirements and expedited deportation processes, which critics argue could amplify anxiety, depression, and PTSD among asylum seekers already facing significant psychological distress due to past traumas.

Advocates are alarmed by restrictions on bridging visa holders’ access to Medicare, potentially leaving refugees without vital medical care and exacerbating health inequities. Healthcare groups urge the government to reconsider, warning of broader public health risks and the ethical imperative to ensure healthcare access for all. With parliamentary debate looming, the implications for refugees’ well-being are dire.

Launched in mid 2022, the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) gives groups of locals the opportunity to welcome refugees into their community, supporting them from day one of their Australian journey. Following their pilot phase, the Australian Government made a recent announcement to make CRISP a permanent feature of Australia’s overall humanitarian program.

Two new cases of measles have been reported in Victoria that have not travelled overseas, and have no known links to recent cases of measles. These cases were infectious at multiple locations in Greater Bendigo and metropolitan Melbourne. This means there is now local transmission of measles in the community.

The Victorian Refugee Health Network will be holding the next Statewide meeting via Zoom on Thursday 27 March 2025 from 2pm to 4pm.

The Victorian Refugee Health Network State-wide meetings bring together people from across government, health and community services. We have an engaging agenda planned, including policy updates from Refugee Council of Australia, settlement updates from AMES and insights from the Rural and Regional Working Group, as well as guest speaker presentations.

If you would like to raise any ongoing or emerging issues to our attention, please contact refugeehealth@foundationhouse.org.au. We look forward to hearing from you.

To enhance healthcare access for CALD patients, Murray PHN is providing the Interpreting for Allied Health and Primary Care Pilot Program until 30 June 2025. The program will support local private allied health services, urgent care clinics, and other primary care practitioners who are not eligible for other government-funded interpreting programs to access free interpreting services through the Translating and Interpreting Service, TIS National.

Cases of mpox are continuing to increase across Victoria. In August 2024, Australia recorded the second highest number of confirmed cases of mpox in the world. The mpox outbreak in 2024 is now much larger than the 2022 outbreak. As of 17 October, 330 mpox cases have been notified in Victoria since April 2024 and there have been 27 hospitalisations.

Cases of mpox are continuing to increase across Victoria. In August 2024, Australia recorded the second highest number of confirmed cases of mpox in the world. The mpox outbreak in 2024 is now much larger than the 2022 outbreak. As of 17 October, 330 mpox cases have been notified in Victoria since April 2024 and there have been 27 hospitalisations.

These hubs join the current network of 14 hubs that are already delivering free or low-cost care including contraception, medical abortion, referral for surgical abortion and sexual health testing and treatment.

The latest locations were chosen based on where there was a high demand for women’s healthcare and a lack of services including:

Central Highlands Rural Health – Kyneton
Western Health – Melton
IPC Health – Wyndham Vale
DPV Health – Broadmeadows
Grampians Health – Horsham and Stawell
East Grampians Health – Ararat

The Allan Labor Government’s landmark Inquiry into Women’s Pain has revealed the significant impact pain conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain and migraines are having on the lives of Victorian women and girls.

The results from the survey of more than 13,000 women, girls, carers, families and healthcare workers highlight the negative experiences that many have had when seeking care.

The Interpreter Scholarship Program works to improve the supply, quality and use of language services in Victoria by offering scholarships to eligible students.