Dear Editor,
It has come to my attention, while tending to several males subject to international protection applications, that they have been hospitalised due to severe health issues brought on by their unfortunate circumstances, primarily staying outside in cold weather conditions. These health issues have led to extended, expensive hospital treatments, which could have been avoided should these men have been provided with basic accommodation.
Putting aside our responsibility to assist these less privileged individuals, there’s a monetary rationale to address this situation. The allocated state funding could be saved, instead of being exhausted on comprehensive medical bills due to a lack of specific provisions.
There is, therefore, an urgent need to respond and resolve this troubling crisis.
Kind regards,
Dr Ralph Hurley O’Dwyer,
Infectious Diseases Registrar,
Mater Misericordia University Hospital,
Dublin 9.