Future Directions For The VVAA In Relation To The Male
Vietnam Veteran Health Study
The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia is still
assessing options in relation to the self-reported outcomes of
the male Vietnam Veterans' Health Study. While
acknowledging the role of the Minister and the Department in
providing the funding and support for the Study, it is vital that
we hold strongly to our own, veterans', course. We should
also quietly congratulate ourselves for holding to the vision of
achieving the study, and thank every Vietnam veteran who
contributed to making the response so overwhelming.
The following points have been made to the Minister, the
Secretary, the Repatriation Commission and certain members of the
ex-Service community. The members of the National
Executive believe that the things we are trying to achieve
are justifiable and attainable, and follow naturally from the
results of the study. We are 100% certain that the
validations will, with some minor variations, confirm the
self-reported study.
- The VVAA acknowledges the role of the Minister for
Veterans Affairs, his staff and Departmental officers,
in the funding, delivery and analysis of the first two
phases of the Vietnam Veterans' Health Study.
- The VVAA reluctantly accepts the need for the Government
to confirm certain of the self-reported outcomes
through validation, and will contribute to this process
by:
- actively encouraging veterans to participate;
providing guidance to the validating
authority; and
- monitoring the process to ensure that
individual data is isolated from the
Department.
- The VVAA will pursue through the Department and the
Repatriation Medical Authority, the review of a range
of illnesses and contributory factors, to incorporate
the findings of the Morbidity Study into Statements of
Principle and administrative instructions, with the aim
of ensuring that they properly reflect the outcomes of
service.
- The VVAA will pursue changes to the Veterans'
Entitlement Act, 1986 to incorporate provision for the
children of Vietnam veterans suffering from illnesses
as a result of a parent's service. These provisions
should include:
- treatment, including payment of medical costs,
medicines, physiotherapy and prostheses;
- assistance with ancillary medical equipment,
building and vehicle modifications;
- preventative and educative health programs;
and
- pensions for the maintenance of lifestyle.
- The VVAA will work with the Ministers' Office, the
Department and its agencies, as well as other veterans'
organisations to identify appropriate strategies and
achieve budget allocations that will permit the
problems identified in the Study to be properly
addressed.
Clive Mitchell-Taylor
National President
05 April 1998
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