No easy fix for indigenous kidney transplant bias, says minister

A major review has been unable to fully explain the systemic bias that sees fewer kidney transplants given to indigenous Australians.

Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt in Sydney. Picture: AAPs

A major review has been unable to fully explain the systemic bias that sees fewer kidney transplants given to indigenous Australians and warned there was “no easy fix”.

Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt released the findings of the review yesterday, and accepted its primary recommendations that more data be collected and reported, a new taskforce advocate for indigenous patients, and every transplant unit have an indigenous reference group.

“It is untenable that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in need are having kidney and organ transplants at only about 25 per cent of non-indigenous people,” Mr Wyatt said.

“Our people are nine times as likely as non-indigenous Australians to be receiving kidney dialysis and there is barely a family who is not affected by the devastation of renal disease.”

The Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand review concluded the kidney transplant system was designed to cater for the needs of non-indigenous patients.

The review recommended further research into barriers in the system and pilot programs to pursue reform.