Abstract: PUB233
Planning for Locally Provided Haemodialysis Care in Badu Island in the Torres Strait: Kikirrui dan Walmai Project
Session Information
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Hughes, Jaquelyne T., Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Liddy-Stokes, Candice Monique, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Cundale, Katie, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Canuto, Karla Joy, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Background
Diabetes is a very common cause of morbidity in the Torres Strait, the remote island region of Australia that has been inhabited for many thousands of years by Torres Strait Islander people. Morbidity and mortality related to diabetes and kidney disease emerged post-colonisation, and in the 1990s, Tribal leaders across all Island clusters endorsed the Torres Strait Health Strategy. This strategy identified that investment in health infrastructure – including buildings, staffing needs, and care models – are critical to ensure locally provided, culturally safe care was available for adults living with diabetes-related kidney failure. Tribal Elders from the main island of the Western Cluster of the Torres Strait, Badu Island, prioritised locally available haemodialysis as key health infrastructure. Here, we describe the community-defined infrastructure needs for safe and quality haemodialysis care on Badu Island.
Methods
Badu Island Tribal elders sought to establish a culturally knowledgeable, Torres Strait Islander-led team to engage community members on Badu, Mabuiag, and Moa Islands, as well as community members living in Cairns. The research and its conduct was approval by Maluilgal Tribal Governance, and supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship.
Results
The team met with communities in the Torres Strait in October 2023 and in Cairns in December. At each meeting, the attendees supported the pursuit of a dialysis unit on Badu Island. The need to also pursue funding to support community-led restorative health initiatives was also discussed. A report consolidating those engagement visits was relied upon to make a Commonwealth Government Grant, approximating $3.5million to support a new build of 4-chair haemodialysis unit.
Conclusion
Tribal governance was the persisting attribute in bringing together a report that summarised a health plan for locally delivered haemodialysis. The zageth will continue with the award of funds to commence building, and parallel zageth to identify a clinical training pathway for Torres Strait Islander clinicians to provide dialysis care and related health care.
Funding
- Government Support – Non-U.S.