Free ear surgery gives kids a new lease on life
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have received free and fast-tracked surgery to prevent hearing loss and chronic ear disease in WA.
About 50 per cent of Aboriginal children experience recurrent middle ear infections which can lead to hearing loss very early in life and the healthcare program tom address the issue is a partnership between the St John of God Murdoch Hospital, the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, and Cockburn Integrated Health.
Hospital staff have also raised $140,000 through their own fundraising efforts, with contributions from St John of God Health Care taking the total raised to $220,000.
Eligible children can be treated for the chronic condition within six weeks, instead of waiting for surgery on a public waitlist for almost three years.
Launched in 2018, Djaalinj Waakinj connects ear health researchers with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families living in Perth’s South Metropolitan area, visiting babies from just two months of age to check for early signs of middle ear infections, known as otitis media (OM), and hearing loss.
Associate Professor Val Swift, Co-Director for the Djaalinj Waakinj Centre for Ear and Hearing Health and Aboriginal Cultural Guidance Advisor at the Wesfarmers Centre, said the ability to avoid a long waitlist for treatment has an immeasurable impact on these children.
“OM can cause permanent hearing loss if not caught and treated early, but unfortunately, many children are living with untreated ear disease over a long period of time, which causes long-term issues with language, behavioural and educational development,” A/Prof Swift said.
