Calls for support for Indigenous prisoner health
Today more bad news on Aboriginal health… with the release of the Australian Medical Association’s annual report card on Indigenous health. The life expectancy for Indigenous Australians remains 17 years less than for other Australians. And the AMA has again called for a massive boost in funding to the health care budget. They say an extra 460 million dollars worth of spending is needed annually to bring the health care system for the first Australians up to speed. But its not just about money – the AMA also wants quote “a social conscience and a genuine commitment to fix the problem”. But is the federal health minister listening? A spokesperson from Tony Abbot’s office said he would not be commenting on the report. At the release of the AMA’s 2006 report card, the body called for an increased focus on Indigenous prisoner health. And now one Aboriginal Medical Health Service based in the ACT has released a model of the type of assistance they say this part of the community needs.