Indigenous Australia
Investing in indigenous health: Cliff’s story
Cliff is a senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner who works hard to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities can access quality health care. However, over the past three years, Cliff’s vision has worsened. With so many patients relying on his services, Cliff isn’t sure how to carry on his important work.
In remote Warumungu Country in the Northern Territory, patients rely on Cliff to manage their health needs.
As a Senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner with the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, Cliff manages patient care, inserts cannulas and stitches wounds.
But over the past three years, Cliff’s vision has worsened. He struggles to read the fine detail on prescriptions, and one incident prompted him to seek help.
“I made a big mistake. I tried to do a cannula. I couldn’t even see the blood shooting out, you know.
“Mainly working out remote – a lot of people rely on you.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians often face poverty and inequality. Living far from major population centres, they can’t access economic opportunities and public services such as education and health care at the same rates as other groups from the country. Health workers like Cliff are crucial to helping Indigenous Australians access health services.
In remote Warumungu Country in the Northern Territory, patients rely on Cliff to manage their health needs.
As a Senior Aboriginal Health Practitioner with the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, Cliff manages patient care, inserts cannulas and stitches wounds.
But over the past three years, Cliff’s vision has worsened. He struggles to read the fine detail on prescriptions, and one incident prompted him to seek help.
“I made a big mistake. I tried to do a cannula. I couldn’t even see the blood shooting out, you know.
“Mainly working out remote – a lot of people rely on you.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians often face poverty and inequality. Living far from major population centres, they can’t access economic opportunities and public services such as education and health care at the same rates as other groups from the country. Health workers like Cliff are crucial to helping Indigenous Australians access health services.
Photo credit: Michael Amendolia
When ophthalmologist Dr Tim Henderson made one of his regular visits to Tennant Creek, Cliff was screened and diagnosed with cataract.
Cliff was one of seven patients who travelled five hours from Tennant Creek to Alice Springs Hospital for surgery at an Eye Intensive supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation in partnership with Cliff’s employer Anyinginyi.
The Foundation, Anyinginyi and the Hospital work together to deliver culturally-safe eye care that includes transport, accommodation and a care plan for each patient.
This approach is vital to help close the eye health gap. First Nations people are 12 times more likely to have blinding cataract than other Australians, yet wait 40 per cent longer for surgery.
The day after surgery with his eye patch off, Cliff was looking forward to returning to work, resuming hunting and enjoying the simple pleasure of seeing a clear sunrise and sunset without glassy and blurry vision.
“I love the mornings – waking up and seeing the stars, but they’ve been glassy and blurry … so that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Fred Hollows strongly advocated that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians enjoy the same health and life expectancy as other Australians.
That’s why The Fred Hollows Foundation works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their health professionals to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can exercise their right to sight.
Cliff was one of seven patients who travelled five hours from Tennant Creek to Alice Springs Hospital for surgery at an Eye Intensive supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation in partnership with Cliff’s employer Anyinginyi.
The Foundation, Anyinginyi and the Hospital work together to deliver culturally-safe eye care that includes transport, accommodation and a care plan for each patient.
This approach is vital to help close the eye health gap. First Nations people are 12 times more likely to have blinding cataract than other Australians, yet wait 40 per cent longer for surgery.
The day after surgery with his eye patch off, Cliff was looking forward to returning to work, resuming hunting and enjoying the simple pleasure of seeing a clear sunrise and sunset without glassy and blurry vision.
“I love the mornings – waking up and seeing the stars, but they’ve been glassy and blurry … so that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Fred Hollows strongly advocated that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians enjoy the same health and life expectancy as other Australians.
That’s why The Fred Hollows Foundation works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their health professionals to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can exercise their right to sight.
COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Amendolia
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