Mobile Renal Dialysis Unit
This project is a result of the work over nine years of the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (WDNWPT)
End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) has had a devastating effect on families and communities in Central Australia. The project is a direct response to the critical and expanding problem of the dislocation of senior Yanangu community members who, after being diagnosed with end stage renal disease, are taken to Alice Springs for life-long dialysis treatment many hundreds of kilometres from family, community and traditional country. In addition to the personal dislocation and despair felt by the patient and their family, the removal of community Elders has a significant impact on community and culture.
This pilot project has the following key elements:
- Source vehicle and modify to operate a Mobile Renal Dialysis Unit
- Education – bringing renal dialysis treatment to the community demystifies this condition and its treatment. There will be education to encourage medical check-ups and understanding of how to manage diabetes and kidney disease, before dialysis is required.
- Awareness – linkages to the Thumbs Up! campaign to promote healthy eating for young children to reduce the incidence of developing diabetes, kidney and other chronic diseases.
Medicines Australia has contributed $360,000 to this project. It is conducted in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Fresenius Medical Care Australia who are providing the dialysis equipment and consumables required for treatment.
A key objective of the pilot project is to demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the program to attract sustained, re-current funding to ensure that patients can be treated within their communities.
Page updated: November 2011