Australian Medical Association urging Riverland residents to prepare for health needs before it’s too late

Riverland residents have been urged to stock up on medicines and health supplies, as rising waters threaten to cut off roads and ferries.

Doctors are urging state and local governments and emergency services to plan ahead for the Riverland’s health needs before floodwaters sever vital lifelines.

Australian Medical Association SA president Dr Michelle Atchison said residents would continue to need regular health consultations and this may become difficult for them to access with ferries and roads closing.

She said access to ambulances and hospitals were likely to be affected.

“We ask that those in charge of preparing and managing the response in the Riverland consider health services as among those necessary during the emergency and for the weeks of recovery,” Dr Atchison said.

The Lyrup ferry on November 19, 2022: Picture: Brenton Edwards

AMA SA president Dr Michelle Atkinson

With roads and ferries closed, Dr Atchison said now was the time for people to get their medical supplies and pharmacy scripts filled.

“With peak flows set to remain high well into January, residents and visitors should fill scripts and replenish supplies of repellent, masks, rapid antigen tests and other health essentials now. Please don’t wait until access is cut off.”

Dr Atchinson said they were “very concerned” about mosquito-borne disease such as Ross River virus and JEV.

“I’ve also had discussions with people from the Riverlands who’ve raised the possibility of mosquito borne illness like Dengue fever, which is usually a subtropical disease, but given the climate changes and all the water that will be around, that could potentially be an issue.”

REPLAY THURSDAY’S FLOOD UPDATE PRESS CONFERENCE

A major concern was if sewage gets into the water system it could present disease such as E. coli, she said.

“Certainly don’t be drinking the water, but even walking and swimming in the water is likely to be an issue. If you have sewage in the water then the risk of an E. coli gut infection is really high.”

“Doctors will use telehealth wherever possible, but vaccinations require face-to-face appointments that may not be possible when movement is restricted.” She said.

Dr Atchison said the risk of Covid would also increase if people congregated at evacuation centres.

“We are already experiencing health workforce shortages in rural areas, and with the respiratory clinics closing on 31 December, people with Covid symptoms will add to the number of people seeking health care in extremely fraught conditions.”

Dr Atchison said prolonged power outages could also affect residents health if food supplies cannot be replenished or are spoiled.

Health effects of flooding on sewage management should also be considered.

In a statement, Riverland Malee Coorong Local Health Network chief executive officer Wayne Champion said the Renmark Paringa District Hospital is the only facility within RMCLHN to be at risk with flooding.

“We would like to reassure the community health services will be remain available to them in the event of flooding to the region, other than for those centre based programs that already have planned Christmas closures,” he said.

Mr Champion said contingency plans are in place for the relocation of aged care residents if required.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and liaise with residents and their families to keep them informed.”

Services at Loxton Hospital Complex will not be impacted in the event of flooding due to its elevated position, he said.

“There are some regional services at Riverland General Hospital that people from Loxton may need to access, such as renal dialysis or chemotherapy. We ask anyone in the Loxton community accessing these services to keep informed, and factor in additional travel time to their journey if required.” Mr Champion said.

Mr Champion said all other RMCLHN health sites are situated on high ground where there is no risk of flooding from the Murray River