Shocking message to anti-vaxxers
THE Victorian President of the AMA has been slammed for saying Covid-deniers and anti-vaxxers should opt out of receiving medical care in the public health system if they catch the virus.
AMA Victorian branch president Roderick Mcrae said those who did not believe Covid-19 existed or was a serious threat should inform their loved ones that they do not wish to receive care in the public health system if they become infected with the virus.
“A whole lot of these people are passionate disbelievers that the virus even exists,” Dr Mcrae told Guardian Australia. “They should notify their nearest and dearest and ensure there’s an advanced care directive that says: ‘If I am diagnosed with this disease caused by a virus that I don’t believe exists, I will not disturb the public hospital system, and I’ll let nature run its course.’ ”
But AMA national president Omar Khorshid disagreed, insisting the code of ethics contradicted the statements.
“The AMA Code of Ethics guides the behaviour of doctors and is the foundation of AMA policy,” Dr Khorshid wrote on Twitter.
“Doctors will always provide care to patients considering their right to make their own decisions, even bad ones like not getting #vacced.”