Indigenous health

The RFDS is committed to addressing the poor standard of health which is prevalent among indigenous communities.

The SE Section provides a full-time GP who works with registered nurses and health workers at the Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Service in Broken Hill. In addition to treating patients, our GP also provides cultural awareness programs to ensure all RFDS staff are well informed about indigenous issues.

We also provide medical clinic services to the towns of Ivanhoe, Menindee and Wilcannia, all of which have significant indigenous populations. Programs available to patients include chronic disease care (for illnesses like diabetes and vascular disease), smoking management and general practice services.

In collaboration with Maari Ma and the Greater Western Area Health Service, we provide emergency and primary healthcare services on a full time basis for the people in these remote communities. Our GPs also provide educational and training sessions to the staff in the health service.

The RFDS also work with Maari Ma on the implementation of ‘well-person checks’ in Menindee and Wilcannia, with follow up management of identified problems