New research has shown the majority of Australian paediatricians think mandatory detention of asylum seeker children constitutes child abuse.
The research, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, was based on the result of a questionnaire completed by 139 Australian paediatricians.
Of them, 80 per cent of them agreed that mandatory detention of children constituted child abuse and said they did not agree with offshore processing.
About 40 per cent of Australia’s refugee intake is under 20 years old, the research stated.
But Professor David Isaacs, a paediatrician at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and co-author of the research said the results also raised concerns over the doctors’ level of knowledge about asylum seekers’ rights.
"We found gaps in paediatricians’ knowledge about Medicare eligibility," he said in a statement, adding that "Medicare rights are held by all refugees and by asylum seekers who hold bridging visas to which such rights are attached."
"Poor knowledge of hospital fee-waiver programs could limit access to hospital care and health professionals might not be referring asylum seekers as they otherwise would," Professor Isaacs said.
"Better knowledge of the pre-visa screening process may help to avoid duplications or omissions and thereby minimise financial and time burdens for patients and their paediatricians."
The report said medical practitioners needed greater education about asylum seekers’ rights so they could provide better care.
"Medical practitioners can ensure they have up-to-date knowledge of the health problems common among refugee and asylum seeker patients and develop an awareness of information sources and local services available," Professor Isaacs said.
The research comes after Immigration Minister last week announced an investigation would be launched into claims of alleged sexual abuse at Nauru detention centre.
The investigation will be led by former integrity commissioner, Philip Moss.
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