NT Indigenous kids health blitz begins

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PDF printable version of NT Indigenous kids health blitz begins (PDF 23 KB)

14 April 2008

An ear-nose-throat surgery blitz for Indigenous kids in the Northern Territory kicks off today.

This will be the first of five blitz sessions by visiting ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeons in Central Australia. 500 kids at this stage across the Northern Territory are expected to receive ENT surgery through visiting surgeons, including 200 children through these blitzes.

Buses will pick up the children and their carers from their communities for travel to Alice Springs, where they will spend two days on average.

These follow-up services were among the most urgent health needs identified through the NT Emergency Response child health checks. Almost a third of the children seen in the checks were found to have ear disease and approximately one in 14 children required specialist ENT services to help them treat hearing impairment.

The most common types of ear infection found were forms of otitis media (middle ear) infections, which can cause hearing loss if left untreated. Untreated infections can lead to perforated eardrums, and many Indigenous children require hearing aids or other rehabilitation because of past infections. Otitis media can also cause earache, fever and an effusion known as ‘runny-ear’.

This blitz is part of the follow-up phase of the Northern Territory Emergency Response, which is now gathering pace with nearly two-thirds of the children examined by medical teams having been referred for follow-up services.

With more than 8500 child health checks completed, the focus of the emergency intervention is now increasingly on providing treatment for health problems identified by the checks.

Of these:
• 39 per cent were referred for follow-up primary health care, including treatment of skin conditions or ear infections, immunisation, and new blood tests for anaemia;
• 28 per cent were referred for dental treatment;
• 10 per cent were referred for paediatric services;
• 8 per cent were in need of audiology and hearing services;
• 7 per cent were referred for ear, nose and throat specialist services.

Dental surgery is currently scheduled for May. Mobile dental facilities will be used for dental follow-up across the Territory and extra dental staff will visit clinics.

While follow-up care is well under way, child health checks are continuing for children who did not receive a check in the initial phase.

The Australian Government has committed $183 million over the next three years to the Department of Health and Ageing for the Northern Territory Emergency Response – Improving Child and Family Health measure.

Media inquiries only: Sean Kelly - 0417 108 362
For all other inquiries please contact the Minister's office - 02 6277 7220