Community doctor bulk-bills in smiles
21.12.2002
KOWANYAMA is a dry, dusty community on western Cape York. But to Dr Lara Wieland it's the home and the people she has grown to love in her 30 months' stay.
It is easy to see why she feels that way. As she walks the streets there is not one person who passes without a cheery hello. Dusky, bright-eyed children stop their games and vie for her attention.
Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson refers to Dr Wieland as today's ``Dr Fred Hollows'', an acknowledgement of the medico who gave his working life to helping indigenous people achieve better health.
But Dr Wieland will have none of the flattery. She loves her work, her patients, and wants to be a part of the success flowing from new community-imposed alcohol controls.
Kowanyama, population around 1000, is addressing the problems that have beset the community.
When reforms like alcohol-free communities were first recommended by former justice Tony Fitzgerald QC, he called on Dr Wieland for her input. Yesterday she met Mr Fitzgerald to outline the problems in community life and solutions which are achievable.
What surprised Mr Fitzgerald was Dr Wieland was giving up not just any day but a day of her honeymoon.
Her special concern is the destruction caused by fetal alcohol syndrome -- when babies are born to mothers addicted to alcohol.
Kowanyama has become the first Aboriginal community to introduce a program specifically designed to fight the problem. The community insists every adult attend courses.
``I have recently been to Laos and Cambodia which are regarded as among the poorest countries in the world, and where the health of children is considered to be about the worst,'' Dr Wieland said. ``But when I looked at the statistics and visited the hospitals, I realised that it is no better in Cape York. These are truly the forgotten people. They are gentle, intelligent human beings, but they are not being given a fair go.
``I read with great sadness about the dreadful conditions and lack of services for children held in detention centres, and concerned groups have banded together to campaign for them.
``But I cannot understand why that same level of concern does not extend to children in these communities. People here are traumatised too, and it continues -- but no one in the wider community is speaking out and demanding the government provide adequate services for them.
``Where are all the Australians who want petitions signed demanding a fair go for these little ones? They are their fellow Australians.''
Dr Wieland said Aboriginal people might have different cultures but ``they are the same as the rest of us and are entitled to everything the rest of Australia has''.
Even basic medical needs are hard to get. Dr Wieland remembers when six people were in a road accident and everyone including the local police officer had to take turns keeping a manual ventilator going to save a seriously injured patient.
Dr Wieland backs new measures being considered by the local council and justice group, the main thrusts being to ban takeaway alcohol and anyone bringing alcohol into the community. Only draught beer would be sold at the canteen and pregnant women would not be served.
Dr Wieland has hope in the future for communities such as Kowanyama.
``My father is German and my mother Russian/Ukranian, and they came to this wonderful country as displaced persons after the war,'' she said. ``Dad was a GP who practised in Adelaide, and he has come up and visited the community.
``There are so many people of goodwill doing so much for Aboriginal people, and now the positives are starting to emerge.''
