Rheumatic Heart Disease cluster coronial inquest begins on country in Doomadgee

Kinship and family systems in Doomadgee and beyond were torn apart by the deaths of three young woman from a preventable disease, a coronial inquest has heard.

KINSHIP and family systems in Doomadgee and beyond were torn apart by the deaths of three young woman from a preventable disease, a coronial inquest has heard.

Sitting on country in Doomadgee, there was a “huge representation” from the community when an inquest into a cluster of deaths from rheumatic heart disease or its consequences began before Northern Coroner Nerida Wilson on Monday.

Ms Wilson is investigating the deaths of 18-year-old Betty, 37-year-old Ms Sandy, and 17-year-old Kaya.

She explained to the court ahead of hearing evidence from family members of the women that she was aware “having been involved in this matter since 2019 that the family and community at large in Doomadgee have experienced a painful rupture as a result of these deaths”.

The inquest heard First Nations people were 75 times more likely to develop RHD than non-Indigenous people in Queensland.

Counsel assisting the coroner told the inquest the impact of RHD was significant, not only on the individual who suffers chronic illness but also on their families, friends, the local community, and on the health system at large.

The court was told the concerning statistic that RHD takes the lives of two young Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people each week.

The opening day of the inquest heard from Betty’s older sister Paula Booth and Ms Sandy’s husband Edgar Sandy, as well as other community members who wished to make statements to the inquest.

Kaya’s mother Weenie George was unable to give evidence due to illness, and will instead give evidence at a later sitting of the inquest.

Mr Sandy told the court of the need for better healthcare in Doomadgee, for people to work together, and of the need for healthcare staff who want to live in the community.

The inquest will examine the adequacy of the primary health services provided by Gidgee Healing at Doomadgee in providing treatment, education and follow-up to the women regarding their diagnosis of RHD, and the adequacy of care provided by Doomadgee Hospital in the six months prior to their deaths.

It will also investigate whether there was a delay transporting Kaya to the Queensland Children’s Hospital for surgical intervention, and if so, why, as well as the adequacy of care provided by the hospital between July 28, 2020 and September 12 2020.

The inquest will resume in Cairns next month.

Originally published as Rheumatic Heart Disease cluster coronial inquest begins on country in Doomadgee