Queensland-first clinic supports Muslim community in Logan
One of the best parts of Logan is our diverse community – and our growing city of Logan is one of the most diverse communities in Australia.
Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting with the team behind our new Ramadan Preparation Clinic – an Australian-first diabetic service that helps those safely practice their faith. And it all started right here in Logan!
Our staff at Logan Hospital are dedicated to providing culturally responsible and considerate healthcare. They also understand the unique needs of our diverse community and I’m so proud of everything they’ve done to get this clinic up and running.
The new clinic supports local Muslim living with diabetes to safely fast during Ramadan. Of the 13,000 Muslims living in the Logan area, we know that hundreds are living with diabetes and will benefit from this new, one-of-a-kind service.
The team are currently accepting new patients. If you’re living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, talk to your GP about accessing the wonderful support available here in your very own community.
To all those participating this year, I wish you a happy and healthy Ramadan.
Better access to period products for Logan students
This month, I visited Marsden State High School where I caught up with Fatima, Charlotte and Faith about their school’s Share the Dignity vending machine.
Stocked with pads, tampons, and other period products, these machines mean girls get what they need when they need it for free – all at the touch of a button.
Cost should not be a barrier to period products, that’s why this free initiative is so important. Research tells us that some girls skip school when they’re on their period if they can’t access the products they need.
These vending machines give girls the reassurance they need to get through the school day.
It was great to see the vending machine running low on products which goes to show what a difference it’s making.
Free vaccinations for Logan kids and teens
I had the pleasure of visiting not one, but two local schools recently! The Deputy Premier, Cameron Dick, and I popped into Browns Plains State High School where Year 10 students were getting the Meningococcal B vaccine for free – all thanks to our new investment.
Meningococcal is a serious infection that can develop very quickly. In some instances, it can be deadly.
We’ve invested $90 million so that we could provide Queensland infants, children under two, and teens aged 15 to 19 with the vaccine for free. They normally go for about $100 a pop, and I’m so pleased to see the rollout start right here in Logan making a difference to Logan families.
Well done to the Year 10 kids who rolled up their sleeves! The bonus lollypop was also a welcome distraction.
$1 billion boost for women and girls healthcare
In more good health news, we have just launched Queensland’s first-ever Women and Girls Health Strategy.
I sat and spoke to so many women here in Logan, and around the state, about their experiences with our health system. I heard repeatedly that many women had felt dismissed or not believed by a healthcare worker. This is something the Strategy will directly address.
Over five years, we’ll invest $1 billion into initiatives to ensure women and girls get the healthcare they need, when they need it.
The funding will go towards more support for women living with endometriosis and pelvic pain, as well as free IVF treatment for people with complex health conditions such as cancer.
Being able to afford access to fertility services should be the last thing you need to worry about when facing complicated health issues. And I’m so glad that for the first time in Queensland, we’ll be assisting with the cost of this treatment.
We also announced $46 million to go towards opening four brand new, free, nurse-led clinics in communities across Queensland that need them most. You don’t need an appointment, and you won’t even need a Medicare card.
This Strategy is an exciting plan for the women and girls of Logan, and I’m so proud of what we’ve managed to achieve.
Local love story
I wanted to quickly say a huge congratulations to Stanley and Judith who celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary recently! The Waterford locals tied the knot in 1959 and they’ve been in love ever since. I wish you both many more happy years together.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Logan City Council elections
In political news, our community has the very important Logan City Council elections coming up this Saturday, 16 March.
I want to encourage everyone in our community to vote, whether on election day or at one of the early voting booths.
There are so many incredible candidates running to represent our city, so please take this opportunity and make your voice heard.
Wonderful Women of Waterford
I’m looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the incredible women in our community at one of my favourite events of the year, the annual Wonderful Women of Waterford event this week. For those of you who have been nominated, I can’t wait to meet you!
Family Easter Day at Tygum Park
In exciting news, the Easter Bunny is making his annual visit to the Waterford Electorate soon! I hope I’ll see many Logan families at Tygum Park on Saturday, 23 April for some Easter fun with families and kids. We’ve partnered with Happy House Kindergarten and Early Education Centre to run our annual easter egg hunt.
You must register for the event to ensure Easter Bunny brings enough goodies to share with our little (and big) friends. Stay tuned to my Facebook and Instagram pages for the registration details and link. It will be great to see you there!
As always, my Waterford electorate door is open and my team are always happy to help. Please touch get in if you need any support or have anything to share or discuss with us, and feel free to email us anytime at waterford@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Phone: 3445 3100
You can find us at 22 Loganlea Road, Waterford West
