A tender for the construction of the Pirlangimpi Renal Ready Room a project that will provide lifesaving dialysis treatment for residents on the Tiwi Islands has been awarded to local contractor WTD Constructions for more than $590,000.
The rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people on haemodialysis in the Territory and across Australia continues to rise.
Building a renal facility in Pirlangimpi allows residents to remain on country for their treatment, rather than travelling to Darwin where they are separated from family and community.
Evidence shows that when residents who require renal dialysis stay in their community it improves treatment outcomes and their overall health and wellbeing.
There is a growing requirement to provide more flexible dialysis options for patients in the Northern Territory and a renal ready room enables patients to administer their own dialysis treatment, after being taught how to do so.
Increasing access to care closer to home is one of the priorities under the Renal Services Strategy 2017-2022 and construction of the Renal Ready Room is anticipated to be completed in March 2019.
As stated by the Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
The Territory Labor Governments top priority is jobs and the Pirlangimpi Renal Ready Room will create many local jobs for Territorians.
We have committed $11.1 million to the expansion of renal services infrastructure in the Territory including two remote renal ready rooms.
This facility means when people get sick they do not need to move away from friends and family to get the lifesaving treatment they need.
As stated by the Local Member for Arafura, Lawrence Costa:
The Territory Labor Government knows that when our bush communities are strong the Territory is strong.
Kidney disease is already a huge problem on the Tiwi Islands and across the Territory and its important for our mob to be able to be with family on country when they get sick.
The community of Pirlangimpi has been lobbying for a renal ready room and Im proud to be able to deliver that for my people.
