One of the peninsula’s mayor’s says that local families in Cape York are ‘’falling apart’’ after losing their loved ones before it is time. More in this week’s correspondence with Leonidas Naoumis.
The small town of Lockhart River is home to roughly 700 and so far the residents of the city have already lost 5 people this year. Other communities in the area have lost more than 15.
‘’I watch families fall apart after the death of someone that’s not supposed to die’’ Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher told ABC.
Mayor Butcher notes that the frequency of the deaths has a serious impact on the mental health of the townsfolk, as they watch households and young people ‘’fall apart’’.
One of the main reasons seems to be that the local medical services are unable to detect chronic diseases early. Moreover Mayor Butcher says that primary healthcare services are have lost their efficiency, despite an increase in spending towards indigenous communities.
Director Danielle Causer from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service said to ABC that it is hard to provide specialized services to such remote communities, and this usually has to be done by visiting staff in larger centres such as Cairns and Cooktown.
Press Play to hear more in Greek.
