Health Justice for First Nations Peoples - no excuses
“The health system failed her.”
The stories of three women; Betty, Adele and Shakaya, in Doomadgee told by their families on ABC 4Corners Heart Failure this month are devastating. They demonstrate, again, the systemic failures and systemic racism in our health system.
“If that was a white kid in middle class Sydney there’d be an uproar. It is racism and discrimination.” Pat Turner CEO National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people live with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) at rates 60 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians. By 2031 it is estimated that 8,667 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are predicted to develop Rheumatic Heart Disease or Acute Rheumatic Fever - entirely preventable.
In 2021 the team at Violet Co Legal & Consulting had the privilege of assisting a team of dedicated Community members across the Top End, Health Justice advocates, paediatric cardiologists to shine a light on the disproportionate health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in respect to Rheumatic Heart Disease. Working alongside Vicki Wade End RHD, Noeletta McKenzie, Dr Bo Remenyi, Dr Rob Justo, Dr Ben Reeves, Dr Josh Francis, Dr Gavin Wheaton, Dr James (Jim) Ramsay, Mike Hill, Georgie Byron and the entire team at The Snow Foundation to assist with the Take Heart Deadly Hearts Trek was an absolute honour.
What’s next?
“They aren’t helping us they are killing us.” The Community have filed in the QLD Human Rights Commission on the grounds racial discrimination against Doomadgee Hospital. Watch this space.
“Fund solutions now.” An initial $40 m in funding is needed immediately. There is a blueprint outlining exactly what needs to happen to both prevent people from developing RHD and to improve the quality of life of those living with it, called The RHD Endgame Strategy outlines exactly what needs to happen to prevent RHD, improve the quality of life of those living with it, and importantly take steps towards health justice. Reach out to your local member now.
Attend a premiere of the Take Heart: Deadly Heart film next Tuesday 15 at Nova cinema in Melbourne and on Wednesday 16 in Sydney at the Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Screenings across the country will follow. For more information, visit https://takeheartrhd.com/
Educate ourselves on the systemic failures, racism and discrimination, so that as a Nation we better understand, and can act on, the health injustice that is prematurely killing First Nations people in this Country. Watching the 4Corners episode or reading Dr Chelsea Watego’s Another Day in the Colony if you need a pointer.
Subscribe to Independent Aboriginal Rights Based Journalism - check out Amy McGuire
5 Priorities to end RHD in Australia (RHD Endgame Strategy)
Resource an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led National Implementation Unit to coordinate Rheumatic Heart Disease elimination efforts across Australia.
Fund Communities to develop their own culturally appropriate programs to eliminate RHD.
Tackle the root causes of RHD by Guaranteeing Communities have access to healthy housing and built environments.
Establish a comprehensive skin and throat program for high risk Communities.
Improve the health and wellbeing of those living with ARF and RHD.
Image used with consent from RHD Australia To read more about their important work on RHD and Health Justice go to RHD Australia