Child Doctors, Dialogue To Change..REAL Community Engagement

Farsighted community activists see BEYOND short-term politics and act accordingly, avoiding wasting precious funds as occurs when policies are imposed ‘top down’ without community involvement, understanding or acceptance.

The Dialogue to Change program in disadvantaged country Victoria has helped Maryborough community members identify how to help themselves.

See what they say on this Youtube video.

See here for feedback on Dialogue to Change and below for details about a 7 October 2011 Community Engagement Planning workshop in the Neighbourhood House and Adult Community Education (ACE) Sector in Victoria at Flemington Neighbourhood House.

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It’s Bleeding Obvious NOT ‘Bleeding Heart’ said Don Palmer this week in Sydney. Don, a campaigner for community-led Aboriginal healthcare, is CEO of The Malpa Project. At the invitation of the Red Cross Society, he recently delivered the inaugural address as part of Humanitarian Week at Sydney University.

“Alone we make a difference. Together we make change.”

This address was also broadcast by the ABC’s Radio National on their Big Ideas program.

About Aboriginal Community Engagement On Healthcare

Don told his audience that all aspects of community needed to work together…government included (!)

He informed his audience that an acclaimed Alice Springs dialysis centre, established with the help of million-dollar sales of Aboriginal art in Sydney, Paris and London, currently faces a loss of its Commonwealth funding.

Despite billions of dollars spent on failing health services, government plans ‘defunding’ of the multi-award-winning centre – another example of what Don says is the Commonwealth mismanagement of Aboriginal health.

After listening to Don’s address Jaia Brunt commented:

“After a long career in the commercial field I worked in indigenous communities. I came to a place of frustration, despair and disgust at all levels of government.”

“I listened to this lecture overnight and was very encouraged by the work being done by the Malpa project. I’m a remote area nurse, who has worked with Aboriginal communities since 1984 – and the despair I’m left with at the actions taken by our governments, since that time, at times becomes intolerable for me to justify,” says Brenda Santi.

‘Tjitji’ Child Doctors Project – Successful In Nepal – Now A Malpa Priority

The Tjitji Child Doctor project is based on a method advocated by the World Health Organisation for training children in basic hygiene and treatment procedures.

In Nepal there are more than 2,000 child doctors and they are also found in Egypt and Indonesia.

The Tjitjia Doctors project synchronises with the traditional ways of delivering health.

HOW IT WORKS:

“Nganangkari, elders, western clinicians and student doctors select 8, 9, 10 year olds and give them primary health care skills. They learn about hygiene, simple First Aid and bush medicine.

And they learn protective survival skills to deal with difficult situations which arise all too often in communities.

The project is done in a fun, engaging way using art, music, drama, role playing, bush medicine gathering – everything to make learning engaging. Our Tjitjia doctors are then supported to deliver basic health services to the young ones in their communities and camps.

The Child Doctors will then be involved in handing on their knowledge to other kids their own age. They become Health Ambassadors.”

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More Info:
1. The Next Dialogue To Change Workshop
2. Contact Don Palmer

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1. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLANNING FOR NH AND ACE SECTOR IN VIC – WORKSHOP
When Friday 7 October, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Where Flemington Neighbourhood House, 28 Farnham St, Flemington, Mel ref – Map 28 – K11
Cost $300 per participant, 25% ALA members
To register: Email Mary Brennan mary.brennan@studycircles.net.au

Payment Options
By post – Cheques payable to Australian Study Circles Network, 31 Twyford Street, Williamstown 3016
Direct Transfer – BSB: 063 179 A/C: 1045 5341 BANK: CBA
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2. CONTACT DON PALMER – Tjungurrayi, CEO Malpa Project
-Mobile: 0417 297 010/02
-website: www.malpa.org.au
-Twitter: @MalpaProject

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Let’s stop lip service to inclusiveness.

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