IDEAS van to help prevent avoidable blindness in Qld communities

With Queensland Aboriginal Islander Health Council as a major partner in this pilot project, it will be helping to reduce preventable blindness from diabetes by providing education, equipment and specialist clinical support to 27 Aboriginal Medical Services in Queensland. Facilities will be located in Toowoomba, Charleville, Mt Isa, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay and Morayfield. In partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service the scope will be expanded beyond those nine hubs, helping to tap into the more rural and rote areas.Queensland health minister Lawrence Springborg said: Diabetes affects one in three adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland and can have a debilitating impact on the sufferers’ vision. However, most blindness caused by diabetes can be prevented, which is why this project is so important. Diabetes affects one in three adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland which can cause preventable blindness. The project enables the delivery of enhanced diabetes care through improving aboriginal health workers’ knowledge of diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses.Clients will be managed through appropriate referral pathways to receive treatment, including specialist eye care at the regional specialist centres or at a purpose-built, fully-equipped and specially-designed ophthalmic 60-foot truck – the IDEAS van – Indigenous Diabetes Eyes and Screening van.Device Technologies has supplied much of the screening equipment for this world-first initiative at discounted prices as well as providing staff to help with screenings.