THE lawn outside the Mount Isa Civic Centre was a hive of activity yesterday for the launch of one of the most innovative health care clinics in the country.
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The $5 million Indigenous Diabetes Eyes and Screening project is a travelling van that will return to Mount Isa every four-and-a-half weeks to offer optometry and ophthalmological services to indigenous and non-indigenous residents.
The launch attracted hundreds of community members, including Deadly Choices Ambassador and rugby league legend Scott Prince.
Mr Prince said he was impressed by the travelling facilities and encouraged the indigenous community of his home town to take advantage of the state-of-the-art equipment.
``Being a home-town boy I think it is just great that I can get back out here and help promote healthy lifestyle, getting the check-ups, and just really reinforce how important it is to have a healthy lifestyle,'' he said.
Executive director of Diamond Jubilee Partnerships Lyndall De Marco was on board the IDEAS van for the inaugural trip to Mount Isa and said residents of Mount Isa would no longer be disadvantaged by distance to receive the best treatment in eye care.
``This is about bringing the best facilities in Australia to Mount Isa for eye treatment,'' she said.
``When you bring this sort of equipment and this sort of expertise to Mount Isa, this is closing the gap like you never believe.''
Ms De Marco said she hoped non-indigenous residents would also benefit from the clinic.
``This is primarily for indigenous eye disease, but we are bringing the best equipment you can possibly get, so those who need it in Mount Isa and can't afford to go anywhere else, I am sure that this is a way they can access that through Gidgee Healing,'' she said.
