Xavier is like many young people at Djarragun College. Living away from home as a boarder, he spends his days with mates, settling into routines and thinking about what comes next.
What sat quietly in the background was something harder to see. He often came back from school holidays unwell. It was a pattern, but not one that was easy to explain.
“I didn’t think too much of it at first. I’d just come back feeling sick again,” Xavier said.
Through the 715 Health Checks provided to every boarder, Ngak Min Health had the chance to look a little closer. These checks are an important part of making sure young people have the support and care they need early, before small issues grow into bigger ones.
Dr Kate Murray noticed the pattern in Xavier’s health and made the decision to act, referring him to Cairns Base Hospital for further testing. That step mattered. It led to a diagnosis that could easily have been missed until much later.
Xavier was diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease.
Rheumatic Heart Disease, or RHD, is a serious condition that affects the heart. It develops after repeated cases of rheumatic fever. Over time, these infections can damage the heart valves, making it harder for the heart to pump blood properly. Without early diagnosis and ongoing care, RHD can lead to long-term health problems, including heart failure, stroke, and the need for surgery later in life. The impact can be lifelong, which is why early action and consistent treatment are so importan
Early action and consistent care are what make the difference. When we pick things up early, we can put the right supports in place and give young people the best chance to stay healthy and keep moving forward.”
Practice Manager Charmaine Nicholls
For Xavier, an early diagnosis has changed the course ahead. He is now on the RHD Register and receives regular Bicillin injections to help prevent rheumatic fever from returning. This treatment will continue until he turns 21, with injections typically given every 21 to 28 days.
Regular Bicillin injections play a vital role in protecting young people living with RHD. They prevent new streptococcal infections, which can trigger further episodes of rheumatic fever and cause additional damage to the heart. By reducing this risk, the treatment helps prevent the condition from worsening and supports long-term heart health.
He is also supported through ongoing specialist care. Cardiologist Dr Ben Reeves visits twice a year, running detailed checks, including echocardiograms to monitor Xavier’s heart. These regular reviews mean that any changes can be picked up early. If his condition improves and RHD is no longer detected, his testing will move to every two years.
What sits behind this story is a system of care built around early action and continuity. Ngak Min Health works alongside young people and their families, not just when they are unwell, but in the everyday spaces where health can be strengthened and protected.
This is what it looks like when health care is local, consistent and grounded in community.
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