Carer Latifah connects with Creole

BY ALF WILSON

When First Nations Health worker Latifah Khalu (nee Maza) speaks to Torres Strait Island patients and their families in the Townsville University Hospital’s children’s ward she immediately communicates in Creole, drawing on her rich history and knowledge of traditional languages, to connect.

“I am a proud Torres Strait Islander woman from Murray Island (Mer) and a proud Yupangathi women from Old Mapoon, Cape York,” she said.

“I’ve spoken Creole my whole life, I grew up with it.

“I also speak a little bit of my native tongue, which is Meriam Mir, from Murray Island.

“When I see Torres Strait Islander patients, I instantly speak Creole because it is our common language.”

It was that passion for her culture and love her job which motivated her every day.

Latifah was one of the many multilingual Townsville HHS staff involved in the health service’s language badge program, which was breaking down barriers, fostering connections and creating opportunities for a chat.

The program does not replace the hospital’s critical interpreter service, but rather allowed the health service to improve patients’ experiences through a listening ear with cultural connection.

Latifah has been a health worker for 10 years and said patients and families always appreciated it when she communicated with them using traditional language.

She said she was proud of her heritage and excited to share it with mob and the wider health community.

Health education and promotion was a large part of her role so speaking to patients in Creole, Meriam Mir or even using of slang from other Indigenous languages helped to break down barriers.

“You can see the difference in people and a shared connection to culture when you talk to them in their language,” she said.

“It has a big impact on improving people’s health literacy; what better way to break down barriers than doing so in our own language.

“I carry my history with me every day because without history, culture, and language I have no story.

“I don’t have the words to explain it, but when you connect with someone through culture, it is a special feeling.”

Townsville HHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said the program highlighted the diversity of the heath service.

“We’ve had more than 110 staff members, who speak 52 different languages, apply for a language badge,” he said.

“Staff like Latifah play an important role in ensuring all patients and visitors to our hospital feel comfortable and cared for.

“Staff have told us they are proud to wear these badges and were honoured to be able to use their cultural background to improve someone else’s experience at our health service.”

He said said the program had a tangible impact on the experience of patients.

“It is daunting to be sick or injured in the first place, but this is amplified if you are not able to speak English in a healthcare setting,” he said.