The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) welcomes reports today that the government has committed to removing all children off Nauru by the end of year but urges the Morrison government to act immediately.

Professor David Isaacs, an RACP Fellow and Pediatrician who has been treating refugee children since visiting Nauru in 2014 said:

“As doctors, we’re relieved the Morrison Government appears to be responding to clear medical advice that these children and their families need urgent specialist care in tertiary level child health facilities.

“But these children are very, very ill, and I think it is risky to delay their treatment. They need to be transferred within days, not months.

“Forty children in urgent need of specialist medical care remain on Nauru today. These children cannot wait for months – they must be transferred to Australia immediately, together with their families.

 “While today’s news is a welcome indication, we urge the government to enable the immediate and urgent transfer of children and their families for specialist medical care,” said Professor Isaacs.