First of its kind Newman Dialysis Centre opened to provide on-country care for residents

A first of its kind dialysis centre in Newman has officially opened to provide accessible healthcare to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents in the region.

The Dialysis Centre at the Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service clinic opened on April 28 with members of the community, BHP, and politicians attending.

The facility dialysis machine technology managed by specialist nurses, and can treat up to 10 patients a day.

The project was announced last May with $1.9 million in funding provided by BHP towards the creation of the Dialysis Centre.

It will mean that patients from Newman and the surrounding communities will no longer need to undertake extensive travel across the State to Perth, Broome, or Port Hedland to receive dialysis treatment.

PAMS chief executive Robby Chibawe said the organisation was thrilled to see the centre completed and able to provide the necessary health service to Newman.

“Many residents of our region, including Martu and Nyiyaparli people, have had to move to urban centres or travel for long periods of time to receive treatment, isolating them from their support networks at home,” he said.

“This has long been a critical service needed in Newman, with the rate of kidney disease is disproportionately higher in regional and Indigenous communities.

“We would like to thank BHP for the funding which funded the set up costs of the dialysis centre and to Purple House for their continuous support to set up the treatment facility.”