A program, preventing the need for locals to travel south for medical care, is coming back to our town in August.
The St John Eye Van brings world-class facilities to rural and remote communities, with a focus on reducing preventable blindness amongst First Nations people with diabetes.
General manager of ophthalmic programs Lyndall De Marco is emphasising the importance of the endeavour.
“The St John Eye Van travels to rural and remote First Nations communities across Queensland, making it possible for more ophthalmologists to bring their expertise to people that are marginalised due to distance and access,” she says.
“Those diagnosed with diabetes are three times more likely to suffer from diabetic retinopathy and 94% of identified cases are curable or treatable when diagnosed early.”
The service will be set up at the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre.
“We are excited to welcome this service back, the previous service helped treat 400 Bundaberg patients between 2016 to 2018,” says IWC CEO Wayne Mulvany.
“Services like this are incredibly important for our community.
This service provides patients access to an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Orthoptist to reduce the risk of blindness from sight-threatening conditions like Diabetic Retinopathy.”
This approach aims to minimise travel, time and expenses associated with accessing quality eye health treatment.
