Joanne Kingi
Jo Kingey discusses the challenges and progress in addressing Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and skin health in remote Australian communities.
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"Unfortunately there's a lot of families in this area that don't have washing machines. So for our Healthy Skin team there has been a barrier because we've had to use the public laundry and having to use that instead of having Orange Sky to kind of come in and support us with that."
"So washing your clothes, having clean linen and clean clothes is a necessity really. You know when you've got things like impetigo, scabies and all that sort of stuff, you've got your clothes, your line and your clothes, you've got your clothes, your line and your bed and all that sort of stuff. You need to have clean clothing just like you need to get up and have a shower every morning with soap and all that."
"We need to make it more accepting in the community instead of pointing fingers and all that. So how we're going to get around that barrier kind of thing is something we as our HD team and the Healthy Skin team need to come together and kind of have yarns about."
"You need clean linen, you need clean clothes to break that cycle of the skin infections that are going on."
Clean Clothes, Healthy Hearts: Jo Kingey's Holistic Approach to Community Health
In the remote communities of North West Queensland, Jo Kingey is on a mission to combat Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and promote healthy skin. As the Clinical Nurse Consultant for Healthy Skin, Jo has witnessed significant progress in RHD prevention over the past year, but recognises the ongoing challenges, particularly around access to clean laundry.
"Unfortunately there's a lot of families in this area that don't have washing machines," Jo explains, highlighting a critical barrier to maintaining skin health. This is where services like Orange Sky become crucial, providing a lifeline for families struggling to maintain hygiene standards.
Jo emphasises the importance of clean clothing in breaking the cycle of skin infections: "You need clean linen, you need clean clothes to break that cycle of the skin infections that are going on." This simple act of washing clothes can play a significant role in preventing serious health conditions like RHD.
Looking to the future, Jo sees potential in collaborative efforts between health services and organizations like Orange Sky. She envisions a holistic approach where medical treatments, skin checks, and laundry services are provided together, creating a comprehensive care model for communities.
Jo also highlights the need for greater community acceptance of these services, advocating for reducing the shame associated with seeking help. "We need to make it more accepting in the community instead of pointing fingers," she states, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare delivery.
As Jo continues her work, her story underscores the complex interplay between health, hygiene, and community in addressing serious health issues like RHD in remote Australian communities.
