Local Stronger Medicare Award Finalist Announced

RECOGNISING THOSE THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND.

Today Dr Lester Mascarenhas from Utopia Refugee Health was recognised as a for the Australian Government’s Stronger Medicare Awards.

The Stronger Medicare Awards acknowledge individual health professionals, practices or health centres and multidisciplinary teams working across the full range of primary care services.

Dr Lester Mascarenhas opened Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health in Melbourne’s west in 2019. He dedicated over a year to consultations with the community on its design by visiting local places of worship and cultural gatherings. Dr Mascarenhas has been recognised for establishing a unique model of care, co-designed with his community to support the complex and often unmet needs of refugees and asylum seekers.

His clinic staffs GPs, specialists, nurses, on-site interpreters and community outreach programs. Community liaison officers are available to support referrals and specialist visits, and a social worker also runs a local community garden to support mental wellbeing.

The hard work and dedication of Dr Mascarenhas has built up a well-staffed and well-supported health service to care for his community and their health needs.
Quote attributable to the Federal Member for Lalor:

“The work Dr Mascarenhas does is deeply appreciated by our diverse community. He saw a need and acted to support newly arrived refugees in their new home. I am proud his efforts continue to make a positive difference to local families.”

The finalists will be celebrated, and Medicare Champions announced, at the Stronger Medicare Awards ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on 4 November 2024.

For further information on the awards visit: Stronger Medicare Awards | Celebrating 40 years of Medicare | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

A media kit with details, photos, patient testimonials and quotes from the finalists is available, upon request.