 Twenty years ago, Dr David Orth became a founding director of the Gay and Lesbian Health Service. Today, he’s as involved as ever in gay health, writes Alistair Sutton.
David Orth says he wanted to be a doctor from about the age of ten. “The local kids I used to hang around with happened to have a doctor as a father, over whom I am sure I had salacious thoughts; he even had a leather jacket,” laughs Orth. He started his career in the area of Aboriginal health, where he became aware of HIV, and went on to become a founding director of the Gay and Lesbian Health Service in 1989. Currently, he runs the Gladstone Road Medical Centre, the major non-government provider of HIV medical services in Queensland. People working in this field become burnt-out from the stresses of dealing with the epidemic on a day-to-day basis and many practitioners dropped out in the 90s. “I’d be looking after two or three people at a time who were dying,” Orth says. “It took a huge emotional toll on careers and health providers. I am glad effective therapies came along and it’s great to see my HIV patients living full productive lives. I am very grateful for that.” Findings discussed at the Glasgow Congress support earlier treatment intervention. “In previous years the belief was that combination therapies should be commenced once T Cells drop below 250,” Orth explains. “Now it is suggested that a count of 400 T Cells should be the trigger. People who commence treatment earlier get a better rise in their T Cell count and are less likely to contract a HIV illness later.” The Glasgow Congress looked at impediments to treatment availability overseas. Huge problems were identified in Russia where the medical system has insufficient funds to guarantee continuous supply of medications, undermining the effectiveness of the treatment regime. Within the Russian prison system, there is little medical access and high drug use. The English prison system regularly transfers inmates, resulting in an interruption or cessation of HIV medications. Interruptions to treatment can lead to drug resistance, negating any benefits from it. The Gladstone Road Medical Centre works in collaboration with Royal Brisbane and Mater Hospitals, the Sexual Health Clinic and Positive Directions. It provides medical services to over 400 people living with HIV. Orth is quick to stress its role is much wider than that. “There are currently 10,000 patients registered at the clinic, so it is important to remember we treat gay, lesbian, transgender and straight people of all ages and types. I really enjoy the ongoing relationships I have developed with my patients, which in many cases span a number of years.” A keen gardener, Orth has two cats and enjoys cycling and swimming. He believes exercising the mind is equally important as keeping fit. He is interested in politics and reading Queensland political and social history. “Like my patients I am getting older,” Orth says. “I’d like to find another male doctor to assist with my work. If anyone is interested please contact me.”
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A doctor in the house
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