Abby

On the Frontlines of Heart Health: Abby's Mission to Combat Rheumatic Heart Disease in Mount Isa

In the heart of Mount Isa, a vibrant mining town in northwest Queensland, Abby stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). As a clinical nurse specializing in RHD care, Abby's work is more than just a job—it's a mission to improve the lives of those affected by this preventable yet devastating condition.

Abby, who has been in Mount Isa for about a year, brings a fresh perspective to the RHD team. Her role involves working directly in the community with RHD clients, providing holistic care that goes beyond just medical treatment. "We go and visit them, make sure they're up to date with all of their RHD cares. We see new clients and it's a holistic approach to their disease," Abby explains.

RHD, as Abby describes, is a heart disease that affects the valves of the heart, creating permanent scarring. It's a condition that disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, making it a significant health concern in communities like Mount Isa.

The challenges in managing RHD in Mount Isa are multifaceted. "We have lots of issues with housing and poverty particularly in the northwest unfortunately," Abby notes. These social determinants of health play a crucial role in the prevalence and management of RHD. Additionally, the rural and remote nature of the area poses its own set of challenges. "Access being rural and remote accessing the cares can be difficult for our clients," she adds.

To combat these challenges, Abby and her team take a proactive approach. They focus on providing direct care in the community rather than relying on clients to come to clinics. This strategy helps break down barriers to access and ensures that clients receive the care they need.

Education is another crucial component of their work. With a high turnover of staff in the area, many clinicians arrive with little to no knowledge of RHD. Abby and her team work tirelessly to educate healthcare professionals and community members alike about the disease, its prevention, and management.

Prevention is key in the fight against RHD, and this is where community collaboration becomes vital. Abby emphasizes the importance of services that help maintain good hygiene, such as Orange Sky's laundry services. "If we can have things that can help or if we have services like Orange Sky that can come in and help clients with that then we are kind of killing the disease at the start rather than clients getting the disease and then treating on from there," she explains.

Looking to the future, Abby's vision extends beyond just managing RHD. She recognizes that addressing the root causes of the disease is crucial. "Fixing rheumatic heart disease is not the problem that we should be focusing on. I mean it's more so like of your social issues that is the primary problem," she reflects. Her hope is to see improvements in housing, access to healthcare, and other social determinants of health that contribute to the prevalence of RHD.

Abby's work in Mount Isa is a powerful reminder of the importance of community-based healthcare and the impact that dedicated healthcare professionals can have. Her holistic approach, focusing not just on treatment but on prevention and education, offers hope for a future where RHD no longer poses such a significant threat to the community.

As we look at the broader picture of health in rural and remote Australia, stories like Abby's highlight the unique challenges these communities face and the innovative approaches being taken to address them. It's a testament to the resilience of these communities and the dedication of healthcare workers like Abby who are working tirelessly to make a difference.

In the end, Abby's mission in Mount Isa is about more than just treating a disease—it's about building a healthier, more resilient community. It's a mission that reminds us all of the power of compassion, education, and community collaboration in tackling even the most challenging health issues.