Australia denies doctor residency because of son’s disability
October 31st, 2008
From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Melbourne Herald Sun, and the Associated Press:
A German doctor hoping to gain permanent residency in Australia says he plans to fight a government decision to exclude him because his 13-year-old son has Down syndrome.
Dr. Bernhard Moeller is the only internal medicine specialist in Horsham, a rural community of 20,000 people in the state of Victoria, and works as the only full-time physician at the local hospital. He came to the town two years ago in response to a government request for help with a rural doctor shortage.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship wrote to Dr. Moeller that he could not be granted permanent residency because his son “did not meet the health requirement.” A copy of the decision said care for Lukas was “likely to result in significant costs to the Australian community in health care and community services”.
An immigration department spokesman said officials were legally bound to reject an application if a medical officer judged that the applicant posed a significant cost burden. The family plans an appeal.
Moeller’s son Lukas attends a mainstream school with the help of an aide and plays sports. His parents say he has no difficulty coping.
Enraged at the prospect of losing Moeller, residents of the community have rallied outside his practice. Victorian Premier John Brumby and federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon have also pledged their support.
Down Syndrome Victoria CEO Catherine McAlpine called the decision “disgraceful and discriminatory,” and is based on an outmoded understanding of Down syndrome. “It is outrageous that in the same year the Australian Government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, it is effectively stripping this young man of his human rights,” she said.
With video here.
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