Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation mobile renal dialysis unit project

• Reach:

  NT

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Current

• Evaluated:

  No

Overview

This pilot project is being undertaken by the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (WDNWPT). The project is being developed as a direct response to the problem of the dislocation of senior Yanangu community members, who are relocated to Alice Springs for life-long dialysis treatment after being diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The removal of community elders has a significant impact on their community and culture, as well as personal ramifications felt by the patient and their family.

The project's aim is to demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of a program delivering renal dialysis treatment to ESRD patients in communities in Central Australia. Its further objective is to attract sustained, recurrent funding to ensure that patients can continue to be treated within their communities. The project has the following key elements:

• to source a vehicle and modify it in order to operate a mobile renal dialysis unit
• educating communities about ESRD and its treatment (i.e., medical check-ups and understanding of how to manage diabetes and kidney disease, before dialysis is required)
• encouraging awareness of kidney health by linking 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.

Abstract adapted from Medicines Australia

Contacts

Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation
PO Box 5060
Alice Springs NT 0871
Ph: (08) 8953 6444
Email: wdnwpt@bigpond.net.au

Links

• View information: Medicines Australia - Mobile renal dialysis unit
• View information: Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation - Mobile dialysis
• View information: Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation initiative for dialysis support
• View website: Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation