A landmark statement by internationally-recognised human rights advocates calling for equal access to lifesaving medical treatment for persons with disability during COVID-19, welcomed by the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS).
The Statement was commissioned by People with Disability Australia, Women With Disabilities Australia, National Ethnic Disability Alliance, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, First Peoples Disability Network and ACTCOSS.
The Statement includes a Framework of human rights principles for ethical decision-making that state:
- Health care should not be denied or limited to people with disability on the basis of disability
- People with disability should have access to health care, including emergency and critical health care, on the basis of equality with others and based on objective and non-discriminatory clinical criteria
- Health care should not be denied or limited because a person with disability requires reasonable accommodation or adjustment
- Health care should be provided on the basis of free and informed consent of the person with disability
- Health care should not be denied or limited based on quality of life judgements about the person with disability
- Ethical decision-making frameworks should be designed with close consultation and active involvement of people with disability and their representative organisations.
“The Statement of Concern follows advocacy from people with disability and their representative organisations. Australian governments must ensure COVID-19 public health responses do not discriminate against people with disability in decision making on access to life-saving medical treatment” said Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO.
“People with disability are a high-risk group from COVID-19. They are at further risk from the pervasive devaluing of people with disability that leads to discrimination in access to life-saving health and medical services.
If you would like to support the Statement of Concern, please sign the petition.
