Painful ear infections and muffled sounds are a thing of the past for 100 Aboriginal children who have received free grommet surgery thanks to the Djaalinj Waakinj (listening and hearing) Ear Health program.
A partnership involving St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Paediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon Associate Professor George Sim, the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, and Cockburn Integrated Health, the program recently celebrated their milestone 100th surgery.
Launched in 2018, Djaalinj Waakinj connects ear health researchers with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families living in Perth’s South Metropolitan area, visiting babies from just two months of age to check for early signs of middle ear infections, known as otitis media (OM), and hearing loss.
With around 50 per cent of Aboriginal children suffering debilitating OM by six to eight months, Djaalinj Waakinj has been life changing for over 430 families who have been able to access free, fast-tracked urgent specialist treatment and grommet surgery.
Associate Professor Val Swift, Co-Director for the Djaalinj Waakinj Centre for Ear and Hearing Health and Aboriginal Cultural Guidance Advisor at the Wesfarmers Centre, said the ability to avoid a long waitlist for treatment has an immeasurable impact on these children.
“OM can cause permanent hearing loss if not caught and treated early, but unfortunately, many children are living with untreated ear disease over a long period of time, which causes long-term issues with language, behavioural and educational development,” A/Prof Swift said.
Seeking help for recurrent infections and understanding the treatment and surgery process can be very overwhelming, so the families participating in Djaalinj Waakinj are very grateful to the partners involved for walking alongside them throughout this journey.
After consulting with over 350 children through the program over the last seven years, A/Prof George Sim performed the 100th grommet procedure at St John of God Murdoch Hospital.
Staff from the hospital have also helped to fund the no-cost surgeries and support the Djaalinj Waakinj families by raising more than $140,000 through cake stalls, book sales, raffles and more. This, combined with contributions from St John of God Health Care, takes the total amount raised to just under $220,000.
Ben Irish, St John of God Murdoch Hospital CEO, said “countless possibilities have now been unlocked for these kids, including the opportunity to start school with the ability to hear and learn.”
“We are so proud and humbled to have played our part in this program and would like to recognise the efforts of St John of God Murdoch Hospital staff and A/Prof George Sim who have generously given their money, time and expertise to make these surgeries possible for 100 children and counting!"
The Djaalinj Waakinj Centre is supported by Austal Giving.