Dr LIM - 1995-10-19
What role has the Territory in this country's first ever tri-state health agreement aimed at addressing problems with HIV and sexually-transmitted disease control in the Aboriginal communities of central Australia?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, a unique public health prevention strategy is in place and is now well established in central Australia. It coordinates the STD and HIV control activities of 7 different health services across 3 states. It includes the border regions of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It covers some 500 000 km2, involves 38 remote area communities and is funded jointly by the 3 states and the Commonwealth.
The project is addressing the clinical care of patients with STDs and HIV, health care providers' education, community-based education and prevention, STD information surveillance, and collaboration and information sharing between all of those agencies. It is a trialling model. Compliments and congratulations are due to those who put forward this innovative approach for effective health service delivery in cross-border areas of Australia. Already, the project team has achieved the development of training kits and training programs. It has established a resource centre and it has developed information systems, and new treatment and screening strategies. As I say, congratulations are due to everyone involved. I had the pleasure of meeting 2 of our Territory Department of Health Services people when I was in Alice Springs. They are most enthusiastic, and justifiably so, about the project which is due to be completed by mid-1996.
Page 930
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, a unique public health prevention strategy is in place and is now well established in central Australia. It coordinates the STD and HIV control activities of 7 different health services across 3 states. It includes the border regions of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It covers some 500 000 km2, involves 38 remote area communities and is funded jointly by the 3 states and the Commonwealth.
The project is addressing the clinical care of patients with STDs and HIV, health care providers' education, community-based education and prevention, STD information surveillance, and collaboration and information sharing between all of those agencies. It is a trialling model. Compliments and congratulations are due to those who put forward this innovative approach for effective health service delivery in cross-border areas of Australia. Already, the project team has achieved the development of training kits and training programs. It has established a resource centre and it has developed information systems, and new treatment and screening strategies. As I say, congratulations are due to everyone involved. I had the pleasure of meeting 2 of our Territory Department of Health Services people when I was in Alice Springs. They are most enthusiastic, and justifiably so, about the project which is due to be completed by mid-1996.
Page 930
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016