Aust won't stop Nauru kicking out doctors

Australia won't intervene to stop Nauru kicking out Doctors Without Borders, who were giving mental health care to asylum seekers.

Vital mental health support services for refugee detainees on Nauru have been scrapped.

Vital mental health support services for refugee detainees on Nauru have been scrapped. Source: AAP

Australia won't stop Nauru kicking out doctors who were providing mental health treatment for asylum seekers.

Medecins Sans Frontieres, known as Doctors Without Borders, was given 24 hours to leave Nauru on Friday after being told its free psychological and psychiatric services were no longer required.

The organisation has provided mental health services to both Nauruans and refugees, many of who have reported severe problems, since November 2017.

"The relationship between Medecins Sans Frontieres and the Nauruan government is a matter for them," Health Minister Greg Hunt told ABC radio on Monday.

"For us, we have been working with International Health and Medical Services, we will continue to focus on them."

The abrupt dismissal follows a report by two prominent Australian refugee organisations saying most refugee children on Nauru are experiencing life-threatening mental health problems, including not eating or drinking and suicidal symptoms.

The refugees are on the tiny island after Australia transported them there when their boats were intercepted.

Australia funds a quarter of Nauru's annual national budget, with more than $20 million of foreign aid each year.

"All relevant agencies work closely with the Nauran government to ensure there are appropriate medical staff and others present on the island to deal with issues as they arise," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters on the Gold Coast.

He said a process was available for dealing with cases which could not be managed locally.

When asked about the mental health of refugee children on Nauru, Mr Hunt said the government's tough border policy was vital to stopping deaths at sea and more boat arrivals would lead to a "massive spike" in people placed in detention.

Advocacy group Refugee Action Coalition and MSF fear the mental health of asylum seekers will worsen with the organisation's removal.

"We are extremely concerned that the health of our patients may be affected by this decision and urge the authorities to grant us permission to continue our lifesaving work," MSF said in a statement.

"At this stage MSF wishes to reiterate our strong commitment to providing quality mental health care to all those in need on the island."

MSF uses more than 30,000 doctors, nurses and other mostly volunteer personnel to provide medical aid in over 70 countries.

Labor says the refugees on Nauru should be resettled in other countries.

The federal government on Sunday announced an inquiry into Australia's mental health system.

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Published 8 October 2018 1:38pm
Updated 22 February 2022 5:24pm
Source: AAP


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