Islanders turn to witch doctor amid GP crisis

[apothecary]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200604/s1624613.htm

A leader of the remote Northern Territory community of Elcho Island says people are turning to a witch doctor because the island has not had a permanent GP for more than six months.

The chair of the Galiwinku Council, Charles Yunupingu, says it is a frightening situation.

"They might die or if somebody passes away and [was] treated by the normal health workers here, they [put] blame on them for not treating them well and say not a proper doctor," he said.

Mr Yunupingu says people have died while authorities have been searching for a doctor.

He says the families of the dead blame the island's nurses.

"I'm worried about their safety, some day maybe you know it's going to ... happen," he said.

He wants someone to do something to get the island a permanent doctor.

The Territory Government says it funds Elcho's clinic and nurses but it is up to the Federal Government to provide enough money to attract a GP.

Position 'difficult to fill'

The organisation tasked with recruiting a new doctor, General Practice and Primary Health Care NT, says 22 of the Territory's remote doctor positions are currently vacant.

The organisation's Kathy Bell says it is a difficult position to fill.

"We've taken two GPs on site visits to Elcho island to meet with the clinic and meet with the council and learn more about the island," she said.

"Certainly there's been some interest but of course you have to remember that GPs have many options, many places they can choose to work and unfortunately neither of those two actually chose to work on Elcho Island."

Ms Bell says the shortage of GPs is a problem across Australia.

"We currently have 22 vacancies across remote NT - 18 of those are in Aboriginal medical service and eight have been vacant for more than a year," she said.

"It really is a very difficult situation at the moment and one that's shared across remote Australia."

[Auxin]

Sucky

Man that position sounds good to me- servicing just a small community, solitude when you want it, the ability to consult a real live shaman any time you want/need to, warm weather, lots of beaches and little government.

Granted- probably tropical storms and inadequate medical supplies tho, but that just makes you be creative

[Rev]

you know with all the people applying for refugee staus in this country and the bloody govntmnet doing what it does im sure therell be several GPs in amongst them

while washing dishes in my teens i met several chemical engineers and dentists from eastern europe and the ME

but aust wont recognise their qualifications

i think rural australia needs MORE immigrants. even just to diversify the inbred genepool

My maternal grandparents had to spend 2 years in a nissen hut and work 2 years in areas of the govts designation to get residency in the 60's. I think its a great compromise

after all its not a surgeon they are asking for its a GP

most GPs ive met arent as well trained as most Veterinanians

Gps just practice triage

they send you home with a placebo if they cant help and its going to resolve anyway

they fix you up with a plaster, stictches or a script if they can

or they have you referred to a specialist (pass the buck)

Edited April 28, 2006 by Rev