The Mount Isa Hospital hosted an event this week to mark the national Close The Gap Day that is observed annually on the third Thursday of March.

The event was a collaborative affair, between North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS), Gidgee Healing Aboriginal Medical Centre, MOB FM, and Queensland Police Service.

It featured a Welcome to Country by Kalkadoon Community, information stalls from Mental Health and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs team and Gidgee Healing reinforcing the key message of Close the Gap – Agency, Leadership, Reform: Ensuring the survival, dignity and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.

Executive Director First Nations Health, Christine Mann, highlighted the importance of fostering a culturally inclusive and safe health service, ensuring First Nations consumers receive the care they need in an environment that respects and understands their cultural identity.

“We are fortunate to have dedicated First Nations staff that exceeds the national target by three times, with First Nations people currently representing 10 percent of our workforce who work tirelessly to shape solutions to provide services that work towards closing the gap,” Ms Mann said.

“Having a strong and well-represented First Nations workforce, that is complimented by skilled and passionate clinicians and health service support staff, is a solid way we can enhance the accessibility of the health service, ensure culturally safe health care and improve patient experience for First Nations.”

A key initiative currently underway at North West HHS is the partnership with Orange Sky to reduce rates of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and Rheumatic fever in First Nations communities.

The incidence of Rheumatic Fever and RHD has almost halved since the launch of Orange Sky in Mornington Island, Doomadgee and Mount Isa for residents to access clean linen and clothing, significantly reducing scabies, sores, and infected skin abrasions.

In addition to the Orange Sky partnership, a range of measures have been implemented to reduce RHD, including increased training for health workers, clinicians and community members. This meant the risks and signs of RHD are being identified a lot earlier.

“All these targeted efforts are our response to the goal of closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous Australians by year 2030,” said Ms Mann.

The North West HHS First Nations Health Equity Strategy 2022-2025 outlines a commitment to redesigning health services to ensure greater employment for First Nations staff, amplifying First Nations voices, and building a more integrated and culturally responsive system. Our goal is to ensure equitable healthcare for all.