Thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers settling in Melbourne’s west face a healthier future under a plan launched in Footscray.
Health Minister David Davis released the Victorian Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health Action Plan 2014-2018 last Thursday.
The plan details a statewide approach to early health assessment and follow-up care for newly arrived refugees and asylum-seekers.
Speaking at the launch at Footscray Community Arts Centre, Mr Davis said the plan provided guidance and support to both people from refugee backgrounds and those working in the health system.
“Refugees and asylum seekers arrive in Victoria with a legacy of poor or interrupted healthcare,” he said. “When refugees and asylum seekers arrive they require comprehensive assessment and access to a full range of primary and specialist care.”
Victoria is home to about a third of all refugees and asylum seekers entering Australia.
The action plan initiative 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 single state investment in refugee and asylum seeker health in Australian history.
The transitional chief executive of health service cohealth, Lyn Morgain, said the plan was developed in collaboration with the Department of Health and key services for refugees and asylum seekers including cohealth, Foundation House and the Victorian Refugee Health Network.
“cohealth has a strong commitment and work under way to implement the priority actions identified in the action plan to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers have access to appropriate preventative healthcare in Victoria,” she said.
