St John Ambulance Queensland has announced the return of its successful eye van service to Bundaberg, aimed at enhancing the eye health of First Nations people.
This latest initiative marks a significant milestone with it coinciding with the profit-for-purpose charity celebrating 140 years of service this month.
The unique St John Eye Van brings world-class facilities to rural and remote communities, with a focus on reducing preventable blindness amongst First Nations people with diabetes.
General Manager of Ophthalmic Programs for St John Ambulance Queensland Lyndall De Marco emphasised the importance of this endeavour.
“Our sight-saving program reduces preventable blindness through our mobile ophthalmic treatment facility,” she said.
“The St John Eye Van travels to rural and remote First Nations communities across Queensland, making it possible for more ophthalmologists to bring their expertise to people that are marginalised due to distance and access.
“Those diagnosed with diabetes are three times more likely to suffer from diabetic retinopathy, and 94% of identified cases are curable or treatable when diagnosed early.
Alarmingly, one in three diagnosed individuals will also experience vision loss, which, if detected in the early stages, can be prevented, or treated in 94% of cases.”
St John Eye Van's return to Bundaberg has been warmly welcomed back by Wayne Mulvany, the CEO of the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre.
“We are excited to welcome this service back, the previous service helped treat 400 Bundaberg patients between 2016 to 2018,” he said.
“Services like this are incredibly important for our community.
“This service provides patients access to an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, and Orthoptist to reduce the risk of blindness from sight-threatening conditions like Diabetic Retinopathy.
“First Nations people can also be at greater risk of developing Type I and Type II Diabetes, and we know diabetes can be a silent killer.”
St John Ambulance's program aims to bridge the health gap for Indigenous and remote communities by utilising a telehealth approach to diagnose patients.
This approach minimises travel, time, and expenses associated with accessing quality eye health treatment.
By providing services within the familiar cultural surroundings of their own community, the St John Eye Van aims to make eye health more accessible to those who need it most.
Vice President of UD Trucks Australia Lauren Pulitano congratulated St John Ambulance on its 140th anniversary in Australia and for the commendable work undertaken throughout this time.
“The Eye Van is a true testament to St John's dedication to improving quality of life and to see this impact is very special,” she said
“At UD Trucks, our purpose is Better Life, and we are proud to be a partner of St John and the Eye Van and to have our UD Quon GK 4×2 prime mover powering the clinic across Queensland, this allows St John's incredible team to deliver life-changing ophthalmology services to rural and remote communities that need it most.”
The Eye Van program, has already screened over 7,000 predominantly diabetes patients from 51 communities, allowing them to undergo their annual eye screening in culturally familiar surroundings within their own community.
For more information relating to the St John Ambulance's Eye Van program visit https://www.stjohnqld.com.au/st-john-eye-van/
Ophthalmologists are easily accessible by the public. Why is this needed in Bundaberg?