The Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA) recently hosted a Zoom session for newly arrived Palestinians from Gaza on Saturday 10 August 2024. Led by Dr Mahmoud Youssef, the session aimed to educate these families about the Australian healthcare system and provide them with essential information to navigate their health needs in their new environment.
Dr Youssef began with a comprehensive overview of the Australian healthcare system. He then addressed the specific challenges these asylum seekers face, covering crucial topics such as Medicare status, the differences between private and public health services, how to handle emergency medical situations, and ways to access allied health services. The session also included a discussion on their situation as they transition from their current visa to another one that will grant them more rights.
The event, conducted in Arabic, was well engaged by the attendees, who asked several insightful questions that garnered further discussion.