Published on Tuesday, 9 March 2021 at 9:43:24 AM
Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School students enjoying their new books, shirts, and basketballs from Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporate, Kit Bag for Kids and Sport First Geraldton.
As young children grow older, it is important to monitor their development to promote healthy lifestyles and identify any health problems at an early stage.
Geraldton Reginal Aboriginal Medical Service (GRAMS) is driven to strengthen children and young people’s wellbeing by partnering with schools to deliver health initiatives.
The Murchison Outreach Service team at Mount Magnet travelled to the Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School to conduct health checks for Indigenous children. This includes assessing a child’s physical health and wellbeing to ensure they are progressing healthily.
Dr Rohan Carter enjoyed seeing the children being involved in activities that aim to improve their health and wellbeing.
“The best part of my job is working with inspirational children and knowing that I’ve made a difference in their lives,” said Dr Carter.
“As a remote health service, we help to ensure Aboriginal families living in rural communities have access to essential healthcare services, such as the kids in the Pia Wadjarri community.”
“The health check day at the Pia Wadjarri Community School provides an opportunity for us to engage with young kids and support them in their growth and developmental journey,” said Dr Carter.
“They’re such a lovely bunch of kids, growing healthy and strong, and enjoying the active outback life.”
The health checks ensure the children living in remote Aboriginal communities are fit, healthy and ready to learn at schools.
Community School Health Nurse Elissa Baillie shares how important health checks are to ensure the children are reaching their major developmental milestones.
“The health checks include measuring and examining the child’s height, weight, hearing, sight and overall wellbeing,” said Elissa.
“Observing and monitoring child development is important to ensure your child is meeting the key developmental milestones for their age.”
“It was great to see so many happy and healthy children getting their immunisations and check ups done,” said Elissa.
“Visiting the remote communities is always such an exciting and rewarding experience. I get to connect with the children and help them reach their full potential.”
Thank you to Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation, Kit Bag for Kids and Sport First Geraldton for donating books and sports equipment for all the students.
Health check ups provides an opportunity to encourage young children to lead healthy lives and close the gap in life expectancy. Child health assessments can be done at the GRAMS health clinics in Geraldton, Mount Magnet and Carnarvon by calling their respective numbers. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s development, please speak to one of our health professionals.
Tarleesha Barnes (Aboriginal Health Practitioner), Ros Robinson (Registered Nurse) and Dr Rohan Carter enjoying the books donated by Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation and sport shirts from Kit Bag For Kids.
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