Govt expands syphilis tests to combat 'shocking' Indigenous outbreak
Rapid point-of-care tests will be used at a further 11 affected areas
26th March 2019
Finger-prick point-of-care tests for syphilis are being rolled out to a further 11 syphilis-affected areas as part of the Federal Government’s response to an outbreak affecting Indigenous communities.
Indigenous health minister Ken Wyatt says he is shocked that the disease has become so prevalent in Aboriginal communities.
“We are making progress against this outbreak, but it is shocking that it was allowed to become so entrenched in some First Nations communities,” Mr Wyatt said.
On Tuesday, Mr Wyatt announced that Phase 3 of the $21.2 million