Pictured left to right: Richard Liley - Head of Production, Austal, Val Swift - Aboriginal Cultural Governance Advisor at Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, The Kids Research Institute Australia, Dr Chris Brennan-Jones - Head of Ear Health at Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, The Kids Research Institute Australia, Doreen Nelson - Djaalinj Waakinj Aboriginal Community Reference Group member, John Rothwell AO - Non Executive Chairman, Austal, Dr Lea-Ann Kirkham, Co-Director of Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, The Kids Research Institute Australia, Natasha Morrison - Aboriginal Research Assist Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program
Every year 650,000 Australian children suffer from recurrent or chronic middle ear infections called otitis media (OM).
The Kids Research Institute Australia research has shown close to 40 per cent of Aboriginal babies begin to develop middle ear infections between two and four months of age. By six to eight months, this increased to over 50 per cent.
Dr Chris Brennan-Jones, Head of Ear Health at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, said the statistics clearly demonstrate the urgent need to prioritise early testing and treatment for Aboriginal children suffering OM.
“Some children spend over two years on waiting lists for treatment of ear infections. That’s too long for children who are in crucial stages of language, behavioural and educational development,” said Dr Brennan-Jones.
“Djaalinj Waakinj (listening and hearing) Ear Portal Program was established to address this gap. It ensures access to early diagnosis and intervention by reducing unnecessary travel and waiting times.”
The program is a telehealth-based clinical research program that uses technology to remotely diagnose and prioritise treatment of children with otitis media to prevent hearing loss. A significant donation from Austal, matched by a private benefactor, will enable the program to see three times the number of children currently seen each year.
Co-designed and governed by an Aboriginal Community Reference Group in partnership with The Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital, Cockburn Integrated Health and the WA Country Health Service, Moordijt Koort, Babbingur Mia, Boodjari Yorgas and CAHS Community Health - the program has not only dramatically increased assess to service and reduced the cost of treatment for families but has increased family satisfaction with ear health care through the provision of culturally appropriate care.
Leon Hayward, Chair of the Aboriginal Community Advisory Group said “We all know how important it is for all kulungars (children) to get a good start to life and this program is helping with that. I’m delighted to see that families do not need to line up on a waitlist and can be see earlier than usual due to the pathways this program provides for our community”.
“I feel very humble and thankful to all parties, including Austal Ships, for the support they are providing for our families,”, he said.
“Djaalinj Waakinj has translated research and the latest technology into real outcomes for the Cockburn community – the impact of the program is obvious and so is the existing need,” said Richard Liley, Head of Production at Austal.
“Austal is deeply committed to improving opportunities for employment, learning, health and environment in the local community,” said Mr Liley.
“By supporting the Djaalinj Waakinj Ear Portal Program, Austal will make a real impact to local families and help ensure no child in our local community starts school with preventable or treatable hearing loss.”
Hearing loss caused by untreated OM is a lifelong burden, with the impact on lost wellbeing (due to unemployment, impacts on mental health and quality of life) estimated to cost $17.4 billion per annum in Australia.
“There is an assumption that if you live in Metropolitan Perth, you have access to many and varied services. This is not the case for many Aboriginal families as there can be barriers to accessing some services.,” said Val Swift, Aboriginal Cultural Governance Advisor at Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases.
“By working with the community to design and deliver the program, we’re ensuring the cultural security of the program so families feel safe and comfortable to participate.”