In March, AMRRIC joined partners in Maningrida for Healthy Skin Week, a biannual outreach initiative focused on improving community health through the prevention and treatment of skin infections.
Mala’la Health Service Community Health Worker Kylena, assisting the AMRRIC team to undertake animal health checks and distribute anti-parasitic treatments.
Delivered in partnership with Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Menzies School of Health Research, Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia and other local and visiting organisations, the program brought together health workers, nurses, doctors and researchers to provide free skin checks and treatment for conditions such as scabies. These efforts are critical in preventing infections that can lead to serious illnesses, including rheumatic heart disease.
Recognising the close connection between animal and human health, AMRRIC contributed to the program by providing animal health assessments and administering anti-parasite treatments to dogs and cats. These treatments help prevent ticks, fleas and mites, and intestinal worms which can impact both animal wellbeing and community health.
This work reflects AMRRIC’s One Health approach—supporting the health of animals as part of strengthening the health and wellbeing of people, communities, Country and culture.
The anti-parasitic treatments delivered during the week were co-funded by Mala’la Health Aboriginal Corporation and AMRRIC, with additional support from pharmaceutical partners and donors.
Healthy Skin Week highlights the ongoing importance of parasite prevention as a shared responsibility across human and animal health systems.
By working in partnership with communities and local organisations, initiatives like Healthy Skin Week demonstrate how integrated, on-the-ground approaches can deliver practical, immediate benefits—while contributing to longer-term health outcomes.
Healthy animals support healthy, proud communities—and this work continues year-round.
The Health Skin Week Team!
