Western Desert Dialysis Award Finalist

Access to dialysis can be difficult for many Australians but for those who live in remote communities, it is almost impossible. The closest centre can be up to 1000 kilometres away.

A health service in the Northern Territory recognised the desperate need for access to dialysis in remote communities and instead of individuals having to travel long distances to receive treatment, the service comes to their doorstep.

The Western Desert Nganampa Walytia Palyanjaku Tjuataku Aboriginal Corporation is an Indigenous community-based health service that has been providing health services for the past ten years.

Its mobile dialysis unit – known fondly as the purple truck – travels to remote Indigenous communities in Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia providing support to more than 100 dialysis patients.

For CEO Sarah Brown, a nomination in this year’s National Disability Awards in the category of Accessible Communities Award means recognition for access in different ways.

“We are trying to improve access in a few ways. By having the access to dialysis in the communities that otherwise wouldn’t be there is a great achievement. But even more is being able to keep people in the communities,” Sarah said.

Before the purple truck was founded, Aboriginal people had to leave their communities to receive dialysis treatment and, in many cases, needed to move to the large cities. This caused additional distress on top of already difficult circumstances.

Central to the design and construction of the truck was access for people with disabilities – who are more than 50 per cent of the clientele.

“It was quite a difficult build because we wanted to make sure it had good access for people with mobility issues, but had to travel over tough roads to get into remote communities. The truck has the ability to dialyse eight people a week”

“We are really proud of the purple truck and what we have achieved since our truck has been up and running. We have become role models in the community and provided the incentive for people to be able to stay at home and receive the treatment they need. And that’s what it is all about.”