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NEWS: Melissa Sweet Australian efforts to tackle abuse of Aboriginal children raise alarm BMJ 2007; 335: 691 [Full text]

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Address basic care for Aboriginal people

DAVID G SAMUEL   (5 October 2007)

NT Aboriginal health care

Deane Dight   (7 October 2007)

Address basic care for Aboriginal people 5 October 2007
DAVID G SAMUEL, Medical student Cardiff University Send response to journal: Re: Address basic care for Aboriginal people	I am a final year medical student currently stydying skin cancer as part of my elective study in Sydney. I ahve read with interest numerous articles highlighting the poor health of aboriginal chldren and communities during my time in Australia, in addition to the new controvertial "child protection NT proposals". Children from these communities suffer worse dental hygine than other groups, 90% of these children suffer from chornic ear infections and hearing problems before the age of 6 months, chronic disease is a massive problem within aboriginal populations and excissive drinking is sometimes endemic. I feel that far from creating a more hostile relationshop between the government and these grups of patients, more fundign should be provided to improbing and enhancing their healthcare facilities. Discrimiating and isolating communities is likely to increase the health gap and even encourage more risky behaviours such as excessive alcohol use, expecially if it outlwawed. Educating communitites about sexual health, healthy living and modern medicine is far more worthwhile. I hope that all aboriginal people are prvodided with healthcare close to their homes by professionals who are senitive to their cultural beliefs and traditions. They should not be isolated and treated differently but integrated into society. Competing interests: None declared
NT Aboriginal health care 7 October 2007
Deane Dight, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy University of Canberra ACT AUSTRALIA 2601 Send response to journal: Re: NT Aboriginal health care	Having worked in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek in the Northern Teritory from 1978-80 and 1984-88, one cannot help but be cynical about the Federal emergency response occurring within months of a general election (after 10 years in office). It could be likened to the arrival of the cavalry - sweeping aside and ignoring those healthcare workers who have laboured away for years. Communities in central Australia have, to the best of my knowledge, been dry since my time there. I, like many a colleague valued my time in the Territory and was prompted to go on and study Public Health. Settlement conditions are like those of the third world in our arid continent, lacking in basic clean water. Rural work is extremely rewarding yet there is always a recruitment and retention problem which will not go away, leaving shortages across the full healthcare spectrum. The effect of the Federal 'bandaid' response to far deeper issues than health care alone is yet to be seen. Deane.Dight@canberra.edu.au. Competing interests: None declared