FMG funds ear equipment

The Earbus Foundation has been awarded a grant to help improve health outcomes for hundreds of Aboriginal children in Port Hedland.

The $3800 grant funded the purchase of a video otoscope through the latest round of the Fortescue Metals Group community support grants program.

An additional $30,000 in Qantas flights was also provided by FMG to help facilitate visits by specialists to the Pilbara.

Earbus has continuously been working in partnership with Wirraka Maya Aboriginal Medical Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service to develop a model of care, and visits the region once a month.

Earbus chief executive Paul Higginbotham said the new equipment would allow medical staff to take high-resolution photographs of the ear drum and ear canal to diagnose potential diseases.

“It is an important tool to engage and educate children and makes ear disease real and understandable,” he said.

“Kids love the device because for the first time they can see inside their own ears.”

Fortescue port and rail general manager Fernando Pereira said the company was proud to offer support to Earbus, who were helping to provide positive health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.