Doctors' hunger strike continues
By Andy Gianniotis
SYDNEY — The hunger strike by 40 overseas-trained doctors entered its 11th day on November 28. They are camped outside NSW Parliament House. The doctors are members of the Australian Doctors Trained Overseas Association (ADTOA).
The ADTOA was formed in response to the Australian Medical Association setting up the Australian Medical Council, a private company, in 1978. The AMC controls the exams which decide if doctors are registered and allowed to work.
"With a shortage of 4000 doctors in Australia, why are the AMA and the government looking overseas to fill the gap?", asked Sam Mansour, executive officer of the 1200-member ADTOA.
"All our members have qualifications which the World Health Organisation recognises, so why do we have to re-sit AMC exams?" The Human Rights Commission of the UN also wants to know and has given the government until early February to answer.
Dr Tarak, originally from Egypt and now a permanent Australian resident, explained that temporary residents, with the same university qualifications as himself, are able to work without any assessment or sitting exams. "Here I am standing in front of a sign that reads: 'New Medical Centre, Wagga Wagga — Doctors Wanted Urgently'. Ten positions have been available for over a year, and I cannot apply to work", protested Tarak.
ADTOA members, who are all Australian citizens, permanent residents or refugees, want to know why, when they are scoring higher than Australian students on the same exam, 95% of local students pass but only 16% of overseas-trained and experienced doctors are let through.
"One of our members worked as a microsurgeon for 10 years in the US. When he became an Australian permanent resident, he was asked to do the medical exams again", said Tarak.
The Australian government pays up to $500 million per year for foreign doctors on temporary visas and $20 million in social security payments to 1200 unemployed fully accredited, overseas-trained Australian doctors. The hunger strike is the last resort after years of negotiation with the government.