Medicines Australia funds mobile dialysis truck
A new state-of-the-art mobile renal dialysis unit funded by Medicines Australia will be launched in Alice Springs tonight (Monday) by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon MP.
The truck will mean patients from remote communities in the Western Desert who are receiving dialysis treatment at hospitals in major centres can return home from time to time to visit family.
The $400,000 truck is part of Medicines Australia’s commitment to helping improve indigenous health, and will be presented to the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation.
Medicines Australia chairman Will Delaat said the “Purple Truck” would make an important contribution to improving indigenous health in the Western Desert.
“We are thrilled with the truck,” Mr Delaat said.
“This is a state-of-the-art mobile medical facility and it looks magnificent.
“It will give patients undergoing treatment in regional centres opportunities to visit their own communities and stay better connected with those communities.
“Medicines Australia is delighted to be part of WDNWPT’s vision. The Purple Truck is a dream come true for the communities of the Western Desert and we are proud to be part of their story.
“The medicines industry is responding in a practical way to the Federal Government’s call to help ‘close the gap’ in indigenous health.
“We have committed to funding several projects that would help improve indigenous health outcomes and we are delivering on that commitment.”
Today’s launch will also be attended by Dr Andrew Laming, Federal Opposition Spokesperson for Indigenous Health, and Karl Hampton, the Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia.
The Purple Truck is on display today in Todd Street Mall, Alice Springs.
The truck will make its maiden road-trip to Papunya in the Western Desert on Tuesday (tomorrow) to begin its important work.
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Contact Person:
Jamie Nicholson
Media Communications Manager
Phone: 0419 220 293
Email: Jamie.Nicholson@medicinesaustralia.com.au