Testimonial: Isabel

The second most remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia, Balgo has a population of 500 people and is home to some of WA’s most famous Indigenous painters. Located two hours away by charter plane from Broome, it was only from up in the air after an hour or so of flying that you really appreciated just how isolated Balgo actually is.

Below a couple of scattered houses near the verge of an enormous rock, surrounded by the Kimberley landscape that stretched out to reveal even more landscapes it was certainly a privileged way to see this part of Western Australia.

There are no set times for appointments, you walk in and you will know everyone there, it’s small, the doors are covered with a collage of local photos and in the corner, there is a fridge where traditional Aboriginal medicines are stored. It’s hot, dust gets in your shoes, which later become uncomfortable and after a week, you’ll feel like walking barefoot yourself. It’s very much like being in a different country and I can understand why coming to Perth for them is so daunting.

Language, culture and medicine go hand in hand. Stepping out of your way to learn a few words from your patient’s native language your patient’s culture can do so much for encouraging open honest communication.  It’s the sudden finding of common ground that brings on a smile. However, once you learn a small piece about someone’s culture, you glimpse into comparisons and issues of inequality between your own and their culture.

With the chance to learn from them and hear their story, the experience alone, has given me a better understanding of Indigenous patients and hence will enable me to provide better health care.