The hearts of our children need our protection from rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
Without urgent action, 8,000 more will be affected over the next 11 years
1,300 will need heart surgery
and 650 could die.
We have to stop it, and now we can.
25 years of research and community wisdom has come together to create the Endgame Strategy
It's the blueprint to make RHD history - but we have to start now
Kids as young as two years old are being diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease.
It is a totally preventable disease - and we have to end it.
The strategy identifies five priority areas that work together to end RHD
Priorities that will boost Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership.
Community-based programs.
Healthy environments.
Early prevention.
Care and support for those already living with the disease.
There's no simple solution to a disease this tough.
There's no single strategy that will work.
We have to commit to doing it all to see the end of rheumatic heart disease.
At the core of all our work needs to be our communities.
We need to empower and fund communities at high risk of RHD to
develop their own culturally appropriate programs to increase awareness
of Strep A and how a sore throat or skin sores can lead to RHD
so that people can be diagnosed before RHD develops.
To ensure access to culturally safe healthcare,
develop peer support networks and comprehensive follow-up care.
There's no simple fix, and there's no quick fix.
This is going to need ongoing government support
if we're really going to get rid of this.
And we need to focus on enabling, training and supporting
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to
be able to implement the strategies so that people can have access to the best quality care.
Next, we need an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led group to
oversee and coordinate Endgame implementation.
Nationally, 94% of people who get rheumatic heart disease are our people
so it's really important that this group is led by our people
This group would oversee funding to communities to prevent RHD
and ensure the best treatment for those already living with the disease;
work with governments to address the root environmental and social causes;
deliver technical support;
act as the critical link between researchers and communities;
and monitor and review progress.
Healthy houses and environments will stop RHD.
We have to reduce overcrowding, repair homes, and ensure everyone has access to hygiene essentials
such as hot water, running showers and washing machines.
We need to stop sore throats and skin sores leading to rhd.
That means tackling Strep infections
through programs tailored by local people, for local needs; new tools
for health workers to diagnose and treat Strep A infections;
Making it easier for people to have their skin sores and sore throats checked - things like
offering transport and flexible appointments.
Importantly, we want the best quality of
life possible for all people now living with acute rheumatic fever and RHD .
We need to make sure the health system is culturally safe and easy to navigate;
fund regional coordinators to improve treatment in high-risk communities; and
ensure that mainstream services provide culturally safe treatment.
I believe that no child born today should die of rheumatic heart disease.
We now have the blueprint to end rheumatic heart disease for the next generation.
Five priorities.
11 years of work.
The Endgame starts now.
RHD needs to end because it's our children who are suffering the most.
By working together we can make RHD history.