MAF flights enable Laynhapuy Health nurses to bring consistent healthcare directly to Arnhem Land homeland communities, in terrain where clinic operations and health treatment are challenged by vast distances, extreme weather, and limited vehicle access.
Story by Janne Rytkönen
Remote Nurse Danya Gobius travels to the homelands several times a week in her work for Laynhapuy Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (Laynha Health).
For Danya and her colleagues, patient consultations range from scheduled check-ups and routine immunisations to acute cases needing rapid evacuation for conditions that cannot be treated in the simple homeland clinics.
On a typical clinic visit, Danya says, “We've come out and seen a few people and given a few immunisations and worked through their health profiles to see what they need.
“There's a few acute follow ups from previous hospital admissions, as well as following up on blood results, collecting blood if we need to, and seeing anything acute that comes through the door from people that have been waiting to see a nurse.”
Without regular clinics, many people would miss out on the health checks and medications that are vital in managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular and renal disease, which are prevalent in the region.
Aviation is absolutely imperative, especially during the wet season.
If a telephone connection is available, the nurses can get advice from a network of general practitioner doctors who provide consultations remotely.
When travelling overland, Laynha Health staff stay in remote services accommodation in some of the homelands and visit several locations on the way.
However, the severely corrugated and rutted tracks across Arnhem Land take a toll on vehicles and humans, and in the long wet season, flying is the safer and more efficient option for travel.
“Aviation is absolutely imperative, especially during the wet season,” said Danya.
“I think that being on the ground for a good amount of time is only possible through flying.
“Driving, you can spend time and stay overnight, but it's quite limited, and driving is also quite hard emotionally and physically.”
For Arnhem Land pilot Ethan McMaster, the clinic flights exemplify MAF’s mission.
“It doesn't get much more tangible in terms of physical aid for someone than flying nurses out so that they can do checkups and preventative work.
“You're literally flying nurses and medicine into these communities. I really appreciate how tangible it is.”
