Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Preventable Threat
Humpty supports remote First Nations communities in Australia by providing lifesaving equipment to help local health workers detect the early signs of rheumatic heart disease.
Rheumatic heart disease is a serious and potentially fatal illness, but it's also preventable. While rare in most wealthy countries, this disease affects children in remote Australian communities. Rheumatic heart disease is often the result of an abnormal immune reaction caused by an infection with Streptococcus (Strep A) bacteria, known as Acute Rheumatic Heart Fever (ARF).
If left untreated, severe ARF or recurrent infections can lead to rheumatic heart disease, causing permanent damage to the heart valves. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rheumatic heart disease, and paediatric patients require a monthly injection of penicillin for life to prevent heart failure.
The RDH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is fortunate to have several pieces of equipment donated from the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. This equipment helped baby Lakiah survive and start to thrive.
Our Impact
Humpty Dumpty Foundation is proud to partner with the Menzies School of Health Research, a leading institution dedicated to preventing rheumatic heart disease. Together, we've procured portable ultrasound devices that play a crucial role in proactive screening for the disease in Indigenous children and are currently being deployed in remote communities in the Northern Territory.
Aboriginal health workers training to use lifesaving portable ultrasound device.
Early Detection and Prevention
Our collaborative effort with the Menzies School of Health Research includes training on the use of these portable ultrasound devices for Aboriginal Health Workers in remote communities to detect rheumatic heart disease in children early on. Through the Menzies-led NEARER SCAN project, we're bringing the diagnosis of this disease closer to home.
A/Prof Josh Francis, project lead and paediatrician, highlights that early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic heart disease can prevent children from ever experiencing heart failure or needing open heart surgery, which is often lifesaving.
The Numbers Speak Volume
As of 2021, there were 9,922 people living with rheumatic heart disease or the effects of acute rheumatic heart fever. Even more concerning, by 2023, a projected 10,212 additional individuals are expected to develop the disease, as reported by the Telethon Kids Institute, Centre of Research Excellence.
Join Us in the Fight
Humpty invites you to join us in our mission to combat rheumatic heart disease in Australia. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of Indigenous children in remote communities and help prevent the devastating effects of this preventable disease
Together, we can truly make a difference.
By Rebekah McLachlan
Medical Director-Humpty Dumpty Foundation
If you are in a position to help, you can view other life-changing medical equipment on HUMPTY’S WISH LIST
View Wish List