Borroloola Central: New health and service hub slated for remote NT community
A new multipurpose service centre in the Roper Gulf community will include a government service hub, child and family centre and renal dialysis clinic helping patients access lifesaving treatment closer to home. Here’s what to expect.
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A new multipurpose service centre in the remote Northern Territory community of Borroloola aims to improve access to services, including helping those with chronic kidney disease access treatment closer to home.
The federal government has granted the McArthur River Mine Community Benefits Trust $13.5m for community development in Borroloola.
The investment will go towards building a precinct known as Borroloola Central, which will include a renal dialysis clinic, child and family centre, youth centre, Northern Territory government service hub, and other services including a pharmacy.
An additional $4.02m has been committed by the federal government to establish the dialysis unit and associated staff accommodation in Borroloola.
The funding is part of Australian Labor’s $73.2m investment in Better Renal Services for First Nations Peoples, supporting up to 30 dialysis units in remote areas of Australia.
Dialysis services in Borroloola will be provided to residents with end-stage kidney disease by Indigenous owned and run organisation Purple House.
Currently, renal patients in Borroloola have to travel to Darwin or Katherine to receive lifesaving dialysis treatment.
This year’s NT budget included $20m for a new medical centre in the Roper Gulf community, which is expected to also form part of Borroloola Central.
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the government was committed to improving access to services in remote communities.
“The new renal facility will allow patients to receive lifesaving treatment on country, in their community and near their families, leading to better health outcomes,” she said.
“The multipurpose centre will be a vital hub for Borroloola, helping meet community needs.”
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Ged Kearney, said helping people access dialysis near home meant better quality of life.
“Getting the care you need, where and when you need it, is hugely important to people with chronic illness,” she said.
“The new renal dialysis facility means Borroloola residents can spend less time travelling for treatment, and more time with their families and loved ones.”
Indigenous Australian adults are twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to have chronic kidney disease and almost four times as likely to die from the condition.
The Territory’s five-year kidney plan, released earlier this year, revealed NT Health will not be able to cope with the rapidly growing burden of the disease under current care models.
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Originally published as Borroloola Central: New health and service hub slated for remote NT community
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