Miwatj Health Challenges and Solutions

This assignment delves into the challenges and issues confronting Miwatj Health, an Aboriginal healthcare provider in Australia. The analysis examines the organization's history, mission, and the various hurdles it faces in delivering quality healthcare to remote communities. The reflection highlights key concerns requiring attention and potential solutions to improve health outcomes for these vulnerable populations.

Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
Student’s name
Institutional affiliation

Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Brief History...............................................................................................................................3
Vision and objectives.................................................................................................................4
Membership................................................................................................................................5
What the health service..............................................................................................................5
Contacts and location.................................................................................................................6
Issues and challenges.................................................................................................................8
Personal reflection......................................................................................................................9
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................10

Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
Introduction
The aboriginal communities have experienced the worst discrimination, especially
when it comes to health care services (Miwatj Health, 2017). As an indigenous population,
their health profile was low before the Miwatj health corporation was initiated. In the entire
Miwatj region, the aboriginal people had poor health status (MHAC, 2017). The low
birthweight formed an identity of this group and their children were vulnerable to infectious
disease, skin diseases, pneumonia, anemia, lack of dental care, and rheumatic heart disease
(Miwatj, 2016). With a population of about 2500 people, the Miwatj also suffered from the
lifestyle disease yet the community worked hard to achieve better outcomes (Miwatj Health
Aboriginal Corporation, 2013). The solution to this situation should focus on patient self-
management and prevention. Miwatj Health has introduced various services that combine
clinical services thus making it necessary to provide acute care services and long-term care
planning. The organization also offers community-based programs to address the maternal
and poor child health and chronic illness. Given the impact that Miwatj Health has created in
the region, it becomes essential to form the basis of the study.
Brief History
The representatives of the aboriginal started Miwatj Health in 1992 following their
concerted efforts (Miwatj Health, 2015). It remains an independent community-controlled
health service aimed at improving the well-being and health of the East Arnhem Land
community (Miwatj Health, 2017). The Regional Manager of ATSIC sent a memo to the
representatives in the region on November 4, 1991 (Miwatj Health, 2015). This was a
creation of the aboriginal people across the East Arnhem Land. The government offered the
first fund to the corporation thus enabling it to acquire staff and equipment. The National
Aboriginal Health Strategy was used by ATSIC to facilitate the funding. The Miwajt board

members were privileged to join the ATSIC Board as elected board members (Miwatj,
2016). This reflected the community-based origin thus offering a complete representation.
The motivation behind this formation was to fill the existing primary healthcare
service gaps. The NT Government had abandoned the primary healthcare service programs
thus making life intolerable (Wiwatj, 2015). The Miwatj Health had established a
constitution that aimed at assisting the aboriginal population to control their healthcare
resources (Mulholland, 2008). In 1992, the corporation employed the first medical officer
based on the audit of the health needs of the homeland residents (Miwatj, 2016). By 1992,
the health facility was operational, as it loaded patient data (Miwatj Health, 2017). The
organization also computerized the information of patients. Miwatj Health rarely operated
clinics on its own but sourced doctors from Nhulunbuy offices to serve the communities
based on the needs (Miwatj Health, 2015). By 1996, Miwatj Health established its first clinic
in Gunyanara (Miwatj, 2016).
Since in the remote communities, there were no houses, it became difficult to employ
doctors (MHAC, 2017) In the mid-1990s, the first doctors’ houses were constructed (Miwatj
Health, 2017). This followed the continued efforts and advocacy by Miwajt thus compelling
the Commonwealth Government to support the initiative (Miwatj, 2016). By 1997, Miwatj
built its Nhulunbuy clinic because the patients in the region experienced complex health
problems that required quality-equipped facility (Miwatj Health, 2015). By 2000, it
established a registered training organization where many aboriginal health workers received
training services (Miwatj Health, 2015). This is because; the local health officers were
exposed to the community’s problems. Currently, the first graduates from the training facility
continue to hold a critical position in different organizations across the East Arnhem Land
(Wiwatj, 2015).

Vision and objectives
The vision of the organization is to offer quality primary healthcare services for the
aboriginal communities living in the region (Miwatj, 2016). To this effect, the corporation
coordinates the primary healthcare in the East Arnhem region (Miwatj Health Aboriginal
Corporation, 2013). The organization will use the strategic objectives including
demonstrating the culture of efficient and quality business performance (Miwatj Health,
2017). Miwatj Health needs to consider expanding its service coverage across the aboriginal
communities.
Membership
Miwatj Health is an Aboriginal-controlled service. The board of directors administers
the services (Miwatj, 2016). With the members of the community running the facilities, it is
possible to meet their needs and expectations. The aboriginal communities elect the board
members.
What the health service
The Corporationengaged in the provision of clinical services, business services,
community-based public health programs, and policy, planning, and advocacy (Miwatj
Health, 2015). Miwatj Health is offering clinical services through the aboriginal health
practitioners, nurses, and doctors (Miwatj Health, 2017). Assisted health workers and the
Community Workers support these physicians across the fixed clinics (MHAC, 2017). The
professional services that the corporation provides also include treating acute trauma,
diagnosis of illness, medications, post- and antenatal care, and child and full adult health
checks (Wiwatj, 2015). These facilities also offer mental health interventions, develop
chronic disease care plan, drug and alcohol clinical assessments and radiological
investigations (Miwatj Health, 2017). Miwatj Health depends on the CARPA in offering
clinical services (Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, 2013). Given the limited resources

provided to the organization, it has to balance the needs by offering acute care for patients in
short-term, manage, and prevent long-term chronic illness. The maternal and child health
problems also form part of the corporation’s clinical services (MHAC, 2017). Currently, the
organization receives funds to address maternal and child health issues and address chronic
health diseases (Miwatj Health, 2017).
The organization has also invested in providing community-based public health
programs (Miwatj Health, 2015). This involves offering the Raypirri Rom wellbeing
programs to maintain families and children wellbeing and safety (Australian Indigenous
Health Infonet, 2015). The wellbeing program ensures the families experiencing clan
conflicts; drug misuse, alcohol abuse, and family violence get assistance through early
intervention, crisis intervention, and prevention (Miwatj Health, 2017). In this wellbeing
program, the organization has employed Yolngu workers informs the advisory committee of
elders who authorizes the team and monitors them. The organization has also taken the
frontline in handling healthy lifestyle and indigenous smoking (Miwatj Health, 2017). It
advocates for a healthy lifestyle among the aboriginal communities. According to the
organization, physical exercise can prevent serious chronic illness not smoking (Miwatj
Health, 2015). This is the only way the community can manage these illnesses. Previously,
the traditional beliefs regarding the risk factors made it impossible for them to develop
sporting infrastructure to help the community promote sporting activities (Miwatj Health,
2015). The Miwatj’s Health Lifestyle program has helped the aboriginal to develop
sustainable resources, activities, and knowledge thus addressing the barriers (Miwatj Health
Aboriginal Corporation, 2013).
Contacts and location
Miwatj Health has established an administrative base in Nhulunbuy that is located in
the Northern Territory of Australia (Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, 2013).

Nonetheless, the organization has established different clinics, which are located in
Gunyangara, Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala, and Galiwin’ku (Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation,
2013). In these clinics, patients can access a walk-in service for the preventive and acute care
needs (Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, 2013). Apart from the fixed clinics, the
corporation has also established outreach teams that make regular visits to the nearby
communities including Garrathiya Plains, Gunyanara, Birritjimi, Yirrkala, Galupa, and
Galiwin’ku (Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, 2013).
The contact details for these fixed clinics are shown below.
Nhulunbuy Clinic
Ph. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Opening hours:
Mon: 08:30-16:00
Tue: 08:30-16:00
Wed: 08:30-16:00
Thurs: 08:30-16:00
Fri: 08:30-12:00
Gunyangara Clinic
Elcho Island
Ph. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Opening hours
Mon: 08:30-16:00
Tue: 08:30-16:00
Wed: 08:30-16:00
Thurs: 08:30-16:00
Fri: 08:30-12:00
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation
1224 Arnhem Road
P.O Box 519
Nhulunbuy NT 0881
Ph. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Administration opening hours
Yirrkala Clinic
Ph. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Opening hours:
Mon: 08:30-16:00
Tue: 08:30-16:00
Wed: 08:30-16:00

Mon-Fri 08:00-16:30 Thurs: 08:30-16:00
Fri: 08:30-12:00
Nyalkanbuy Clinic (Galiwin’ku)
PMB 230
Galiwin’ku via Winnellie NT 0822
Ph. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Opening hours (24/7 on-call):
Mon: 09:00-12:00& 13:00-16:30
Tue: 09:00-16:00& 13:00-16:30
Wed: 09:00-12:00
Thurs: 09:00-12:00& 13:00-1630
Fri: 09:00-12:00& 13:00-16:30
Ngalkanbuy Wellbeing Centre
Elcho Island
Ph. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Malmaldharra Clinic
Yurrwi
Ph. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
Miwatj, 2015.
Issues and challenges
The organization faces numerous challenges and issues that affect the delivery of
quality health services to these targeted communities. The worst challenge is the limited
funding that has compelled the clinics to balance short-term acute treatment and prevention
with long-term chronic illness (Wiwatj, 2015). Since this is an indigenous health facility, the
local communities should take over the funding initiatives to improve care delivery. The
aboriginal population suffers greatly from diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and hypertension

thus making it critical to intensify screening for these diseases (Gibson, 2017). Machado
Joseph disease and kidney disease also present challenges to the organization (Miwatj Health
Aboriginal Corporation, 2013). This is because the facilities do not have the capacity to care
for such patients.
Similarly, the changing medicine and the care delivery approach are significant
concerns. For instance, the aged care services offered to this population are no longer
considered due to the short life expectancy (Gibson, 2017). These indigenous communities
are facing the worst problem due to the high aging population (AMSAT, 2015). In the entire
East Arnhem Land, there is no home built for the elderly (Miwatj Health Aboriginal
Corporation, 2013). The NT Government abolished the local community council thus
affecting the management of the health services (Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation,
2013). It has become critical for the Miwatj to overtake the running and management of
clinics (Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, 2013). Based on the high demand for health
services, the facilities have experienced strained (AMSAT, 2015).
Personal reflection
Based on my experience interacting with aboriginal patients visiting the clinics, I got
an impression that the community is in dire need of quality health care programs. Indeed, the
short-term management of acute syndromes is draining the society thus compromising the
objective and vision of the organization (Wiwatj, 2015). Organising the referrals for patients
with acute illness, especially the respiratory and lung diseases expose them to serious medical
problems. It is, therefore, important for the NT Government to consider funding these
programs to expand the infrastructure to accommodate the growing demands. The facilities
must be equipped and expanded to help the needy patients in the community.

Conclusion
The report has exposed the challenges the aboriginal communities experience
regarding healthcare services. Miwatj Health has a mission to improve the health services and
delivery in this community. Despite its mission, Miwatj Health experiences various
challenges and issues. It has identified the loopholes that require redress to improve the
health care services. The history of the organization defines its mission of restoring thehope
of the abandoned aboriginal communities who could not access quality healthcare services.
The reflection has highlighted the worst challenge that community and stakeholders must
undertake to improve the situation.

References
AMSAT. (2015). AMSAT Annual Report 2014-2015. Retrieved October 3, 2017, from
http://www.amsant.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/webAmsant-annual-report-
2015.pdf
Australian Indigenous Health Infonet. (2015). Description. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from
http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/key-resources/organisations?oid=1027
Gibson, J. (2017). Aviation Fuel Sniffing in Arnhem Land Sparks Health Emergency
Warning. ABC News. Retrieved October 3, 2017, from
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-15/aviation-fuel-sniffing-on-elcho-island-a-
public-emergency/8521020
MHAC. (2017). Introduction to Miwajt Health. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from
http://miwatj.com.au/introduction/
Miwatj. (2016). Annual Report 2015-2016. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from
http://miwatj.com.au/dev/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Miwatj-Health-Annual-Report-
2015-2016-reduced.pdf
Miwatj Health. (2015). Miwatj Health Annual Report 2013-2014. Retrieved October 2, 2017,
from http://miwatj.com.au/dev/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Miwatj-Health-Annual-
Report-13-14.pdf
Miwatj Health. (2017). Our Story. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from
http://miwatj.com.au/introduction/our-story/
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation. (2013). Strategic Plan 2013-2017. Retrieved October
2, 2017, from http://miwatj.com.au/dev/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Miwatj-Health-
Strategic-Plan-2013-2017.pdf

Mulholland, E. (2008, June). Improving Health in East Arnhem Land. Retrieved October 2,
2017, from Issue Magazine: http://www.issuesmagazine.com.au/article/issue-june-
2008/improving-health-east-arnhem-land.html
Wiwatj. (2015). Annual Report 2013-2014. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from
http://miwatj.com.au/dev/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Miwatj-Health-Annual-Report-
13-14.pdf