Report shows the challenge of providing healthcare services for asylum seekers at Mosney.
The report titled 'Mosney Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers: Current issues and concerns in providing health and social care' acknowledges that more has to be done in the provision of services to those staying at Mosney.
The report finds children of school-going age are not being offered booster vaccinations. It also finds that as accommodation at the centre is confined, infectious diseases could spread easily and quickly. Almost none of the individuals seeking asylum have been tested for Tuberculosis (TB) before arriving at Mosney. Despite a considerable financial incentive there have been problems recruiting a GP for the medical centre at Mosney.
The North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) are seeking €8.5 million per year to provide services to asylum seekers throughout the region. The board will spend almost €1 million this year on Mosney alone.
The report also reveals that since January 2003, 44 cases of circumcision outside a hospital environment were reported to the NEHB. It is unclear if any of these occurred in Mosney.
It concludes that the centre provides excellent accommodation but is not providing the healthcare services to meet the needs of those who live here.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 September 2004. The reporter is Richard Dowling.
