AIDA reinforces the message, get vaccinated
The Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA) is deeply saddened to hear about the death of a 50-year-old Aboriginal man in Dubbo who succumbed to COVID-19 this week. AIDA has offered heartfelt condolences to his family and the broader Aboriginal community in western NSW. It is believed that he is the first Aboriginal person to die of COVID in Australia.
"The Aboriginal community-controlled sector has been working extremely hard to avoid this outcome; it was the news we were hoping we would never have to hear," said Dr Simone Raye, Vice President of AIDA. "There is a lesson from this sad outcome. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities must be prioritised for the vaccine rollout and other health services related to COVID-19."
In the wake of this news, AIDA is reinforcing its message to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
"We have seen how infectious and dangerous the Delta strain of COVID-19 is," Dr Raye said. "We need to make sure that our families and our communities are protected against COVID by getting vaccinated."
To view the AIDA's media release in full click here.
Image source in feature tile: NPS MedicineWise website.
ACCHO develops 'I want to quit' toolkit
A NACCHO member Carbal Medical Services in Toowoomba, Queensland, has developed a 'I want to quit' workplace quit smoking toolkit. The toolkit aims to help workplaces to support their staff in their journey towards quitting smoking.
Each toolkit includes a range of quitting aids, such as:
- progress journals
- tracking charts
- useful information and resources designed to stimulate the process of enabling long-term positive change around smoking habits.
The video below outlines what is included in the Carbal Medical Services' 'I want to quit' toolkit and how it can be used in the workplace.
CDU leads sector on staff vaccination
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 into Aboriginal communities, Charles Darwin University (CDU) has asked any staff travelling to and working on Aboriginal controlled land to be fully vaccinated.
From Friday 1 October 2021 all staff travelling to these areas to undertake research or fieldwork, attend meetings with stakeholders or attend events, will be required to be vaccinated. This is first for the Australian university sector and affirms CDU's commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said due to the University's unique location in Northern Australia and its ongoing work and commitment to Aboriginal communities, CDU was taking a leadership role to safeguard public health. "CDU is a university that occupies a unique place in Australia, and we acknowledge this with a sense of pride and a sense of responsibility," Professor Bowman said. "Aboriginal leaders are sending clear messages that they want people travelling to and working with communities to be vaccinated.
Image source; CDU website.
SA Rural Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan
The SA Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW) has released a draft plan to strengthen and grow the Aboriginal health workforce as part of the Rural Health Workforce Strategy.
Commenting on the Consultation Draft South Australia's Rural Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan 2021−26: Part of South Australia's Rural Health Workforce Strategy, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade said it explored strategies to ensure the State attracted, recruited and strengthened a regional Aboriginal health workforce.
"Our draft Rural Aboriginal Health Workforce Plan aims to increase the Aboriginal health workforce in regional areas and provide culturally appropriate and supportive health care for Aboriginal people, closer to home," Mr Wade said. "Consultation with Aboriginal communities, regional Local Health Network leads, the Aboriginal health workforce and key stakeholders will occur across the State until October, and feedback will be brought together to ensure we can secure the workforce we need for the future."
To view the article in full click here.
Image source: Health Translation SA website.
Podcast: How to Change a Life
In an episode of the How to Change a Life podcast, host Mary Bolling is in conversation with Sam Cooms, a Noonukul Quandamooka woman from the Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) community and PhD student at CQUniversity. Read more of this post
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