Anti-malarial medication support available for veterans
DVA is working with private health insurer Bupa to deliver a national health assessment program for veterans concerned about having taken the anti-malarial medications mefloquine and tafenoquine during service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The program enables veterans to receive a comprehensive health assessment free of charge from a Bupa-contracted general practitioner (GP). The GPs delivering the health assessment have been selected based on their unique experience in providing medical care to veterans.
Veterans will receive a health support recommendations report at the end of the assessment, which forms the basis for clinical and diagnostic testing and appropriate pathways for ongoing treatment by the veteran’s regular GP.
Bupa has recruited 15 GPs across the country to provide free health assessments. A list of GP locations is available on the DVA website. If a GP is not available in your location, telehealth appointments are available by phone or videoconference.
DVA encourages any veterans, including current serving members of the ADF, who may be interested in receiving a health assessment to call DVA’s 1800 MEFLOQUINE hotline (1800 633 567) or Bupa directly on 1800 612 798 to schedule an appointment.
Further information about the program is available on the DVA website.
Support
Help is available, including:
- free, lifetime mental health care for anyone with even a single day of continuous full-time service in the ADF
- immediate financial assistance for those submitting mental health claims
- case management for those with complex needs.
Counselling services whose staff understand the military experience are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They include:
- Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, which offers free and confidential counselling to the veteran community on 1800 011 046
- Safe Zone, which is available for current and former ADF personnel on 1800 142 072. Calls to Safe Zone are confidential and not recorded.