Healthy Skin Week in Maningrida

Maningrida was abuzz with activity as Healthy Skin Week ran from 3-7 March, bringing the community together for an important health initiative. Throughout the week, Malala Health workers were hard at work conducting skin checks for scabies, a leading cause of rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
Now in its third year, Healthy Skin Week has contributed to significant improvements in skin health and a reduction in RHD cases. Malala extends its gratitude to Josh and Jen from the Menzies School of Health Research for their assistance with educational sessions and to the team at Nja-marléya Maningrida for their invaluable support.
A free mobile laundry service was also available throughout the week. Community health workers operated a daily van that travelled to different areas around town, offering free laundry services to ensure everyone had the opportunity to stay clean and healthy. Since 2020, Malala has partnered with Orange Sky Australia to bring this essential service to Maningrida.
The team also had a wonderful time engaging with mums and bubs at Maninyingkarirra Child & Family Centre. The group discussed the importance of maintaining strong skin, preventing scabies, and keeping homes clean to stay healthy. Special thanks go to Ndjébbana woman Patricia Gibson and Burarra women Tiffy Taylor and Natasha Dempsey for sharing their insights in language, helping to reinforce these vital health messages.
Healthy Skin Week continues to make a meaningful impact in Maningrida, empowering families with knowledge and resources to maintain good skin health. Remember, if you have any skin sickness, visiting the clinic is the first step towards recovery.
You can find out more about Malala and their work here: https://malala.com.au/healthyskinweek