Linking the community to health services

More than 100 newly settled refugees have been linked with local health and settlement services as part of a broader experiential Refugee Health Expo at Auburn recently.

The multicultural event is an initiative of the Western Sydney Refugee Health Coalition.

The Coalition is a collaboration between WentWest, NSW Refugee Health Services, NSW Service for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Settlement Services International, Migrant Resource Centres, and Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Multicultural Health.

WSLHD Integrated and Community Health Multicultural health team leader Dipti Zachariah said people took the opportunity to talk to clinical staff through health care interpreters and received basic check-ups such as blood pressure and blood sugar level checks.

“Many of the clients were interested in the role of the GP and were encouraged to make appointments and have regular visits,” Ms Zachariah said.

Merrylands resident and father of one Yama Ahmady found the Expo beneficial after learning on how to respond to developmental signs for his toddler and accessing public dental.

“I didn’t know how to make an appointment at the hospital for dental services,” Mr Ahmady said.

“My wife was very pleased when I showed her brochures and signs to help care for my toddler during these early important years of growth and development.”

For further information about WSLHD Multicultural Health Services call 9840 3877