The Medical Evacuation Response Group (MERG) has responded to the Independent Health Advice Panel (IHAP) Report tabled in Parliament, stating the report shows that in the majority of cases, the Minister himself agrees that transfer to Australia is medically necessary. The IHAP reported that only 15 cases needed review by the panel from April – June 2019. IHAP only provides its assessment where the Minister refuses an initial transfer recommendation made by 2 independent Australian treating doctors. The IHAP was established by the Medevac laws passed earlier this year, which allow independent Australian doctors to recommend medical transfers for seriously ill people detained offshore. The IHAP is currently constituted by 2 government-appointed physicians and 3 physicians appointed by the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Kon Karapanagiotidis, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) CEO said: “The ASRC […]