Close the Gap: Far North GP pays for own echocardiogram in fight to eradiate RHD near Cairns

A doctor working in an Indigenous community is so dedicated to eradicating rheumatic heart disease (RHD) he spent $50,000 of his own money on specialised equipment to detect the preventable condition as early as possible.

A doctor working in an Indigenous community is so dedicated to eradicating rheumatic heart disease (RHD) he spent $50,000 of his own money on specialised equipment to detect the preventable condition as early as possible.

For Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation’s Dr James Doran, buying his own echocardiogram in a previous role to take an ultrasound of the heart to diagnose RHD, a serious condition caused by infections such as Strep A when the body’s heart valves are damaged by rheumatic fever, was a no-brainer.

It’s Dr Doran’s personal financial contribution to Closing the Gap, a national agreement to achieving equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health and life expectancy within a generation.

Because of issues of overcrowding combined with poverty and disadvantage, Yarrabah, a 45-minute drive south of Cairns, suffers from many diseases no longer common in regional and urban centres.

Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service GP Dr James Doran specialises in helping patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease. He has personally bought a $50,000 echo cardiograph machine to help diagnose and treat patients with the condition. Picture: Brendan Radke

Yarrabah may be a community facing enormous socio-economic and health pressures, but the GYHSAC staff are dedicated to helping residents as best they can.

Dr Doran joked he bought an echocardiogram a few years ago, “as he was not into cars,” despite his own vehicle needing replacement.

“It’s not the quality I’d like, it was about $50,000,” he said.

“I can’t compete with the guys going for research funding and I knew no-one would be giving me one, but I also knew it would be saving lives.

“By having our own echocardiogram, we can show patients how the heart works and explain what’s going on, we can take it out to houses and screen people and do their follow ups.”

Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service CEO Sue Andrews suffered from RHD as a young person and she said their staff go above and beyond to help the community. Picture: Brendan Radke

Dr Doran said GYHSAC had 199 patients registered with RHD or rheumatic fever, 15 of whom have had surgical interventions including open heart surgery in Brisbane or Townsville.

“To eradicate RHD the community needs to focus on primordial prevention including overcrowded housing, education and time to build trust,” he said.

“We still have challenges with community engagement.”

Dr Doran said their work relied strongly on their excellent health care workers whom he said were the link between community and clinicians.

Yarrabah woman Belita Kynuna is an Indigenous Health Worker for the Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service, helping local residents like Clarissa Harris with Rheumatic Heart Disease. Picture: Brendan Radke

GYHSAC Health Care Worker Belita Kynuna has worked with RHD patients for over five years.

Ms Kynuna said she was inspired because her son was diagnosed with the too-often fatal condition nearly 16 years ago at age three.

“My son had RHD when he was three and has had three operations,” she said.

“Overcrowding is the biggest issue here.”

Among those who Ms Kynuna liaises with is Yarrabah resident Clarissa Harris, 43, who comes in twice a week for RHD treatment.

“I was diagnosed with RHD when I was 12 or 13 years old,” Ms Harris said.

“An aunty came over, took one look at me and said I’m taking you to the hospital when we were living in Brisbane.

“I had an open valve replacement, it was pretty frightening.”

Yarrabah woman Clarissa Harris was diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease when she was 13, managing the condition with medical treatment for the past 30 years. Picture: Brendan Radke

Over the years Ms Harris has endured more surgery and said she’s very happy to have the support of Ms Kynuna.

However, Ms Harris refused to let RHD define her.

“I am an artist,” she said.

“I love my craft, beading to make necklaces and earrings, crocheting, tie dying and making banners.”

Ms Harris said she hoped people reading this article would become more aware of RHD and if concerned for their health, would seek treatment.

GYHSAC executive director Suzanne Andrews said the gap must be closed.

“The modern day tragedy is that an Indigenous Australian can expect to die eight to nine years before their non-Indigenous neighbours,” she said.

“RHD is a contributor to the poor health and life expectancy for many Indigenous members of our community.

“The health gap will never be closed until we eliminate RHD and address the many socio-economic causes of this disease”.

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Originally published as Close the Gap: Far North GP pays for own echocardiogram in fight to eradiate RHD near Cairns