Dr. Barri Phatarfod, a distinguished Sydney-based general practitioner and fervent advocate for refugee rights, is set to address the 2025 North American Refugee Health Conference on the pressing topic of detention and asylum issues in Australia. With over three decades of medical experience, Dr. Phatarfod has dedicated a significant portion of her career to championing the health and human rights of asylum seekers.
In 2013, recognizing the dire healthcare challenges faced by refugees in offshore detention centers, Dr. Phatarfod founded Doctors for Refugees. This organization, which has grown to include over 700 members, with more than 100 actively reviewing medical records, aims to ensure that asylum seekers receive adequate medical care, both onshore and offshore. The group has been instrumental in advocating for transparency and accountability in the treatment of detainees, even challenging the Australian Border Force Act’s secrecy provisions, which were eventually removed.
Australia’s policy of mandatory detention for individuals without valid visas has led to prolonged and indefinite confinement for many asylum seekers. This approach has been widely criticized for causing severe mental health issues among detainees, including anxiety, depression, and self-harm.
Dr. Phatarfod has been vocal about the detrimental health impacts of such policies, emphasizing that refugee rights are fundamentally a medical concern, not merely a political one.
At September’s meeting, Dr. Phatarfod will share her insights on the intersection of healthcare and human rights, drawing from her extensive experience in both rural and urban medical practice, as well as her advocacy work. Her commitment to integrating medical ethics with compassionate care serves as a powerful reminder of the role healthcare professionals can play in addressing systemic injustices.
An insightful interview with Dr. Phatarfod explores the challenges and responsibilities doctors face in advocating for refugee health. She shares firsthand experiences and discusses the urgent need for medical professionals to take a stand against harmful policies. Watch the full conversation below.