Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said this week it is vitally important that the AMA takes a key coordinating role in planning the medical response to any disasters including terror attacks on Australian soil.
Dr Haikerwal said the British Medical Association (BMA) had direct input to the medical relief effort in London, with some of the injured being treated in BMA House in Tavistock Square, London, following a bomb blast in a bus just outside the building.
“The AMA commends the BMA doctors who responded quickly to help the injured in the emergency, and we offer our condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured, including BMA personnel,” Dr Haikerwal said.
“Our thoughts are with the British people who are standing up so resolutely and bravely against this evil and callous attack on innocent people going about their daily lives.”
Dr Haikerwal said the threat of terror is very real in all parts of the world today and Australia must learn from the UK experience and put in place a medical response plan for a possible attack on Australian targets. The AMA understands that much good work has already been done to prepare for such a threat but it is imperative that this planning includes greater engagement of doctors - both specialists and general practitioners.
“We know that Australian GPs and specialists are ready to help in a local disaster, and the AMA must be involved in the coordination, planning and implementation of an integrated medical responseshould it be needed,” Dr Haikerwal said.