Australia's remote Indigenous communities are set to benefit from quicker coronavirus testing with new government funding for 83 new mobile testing sites.
Some remote areas have been waiting up to 10 days for results but the new $3.3 million project, part of the wider $2.4 billion COVID-19 National Health Plan, aims to cut waiting times to 45 minutes.
Eddie Mulholland, CEO of Aboriginal-controlled health service Miwatj, said the initiative was a welcome relief for health professionals working remotely in the Northern Territory.
“This will be a game changer for the health sector. Sadly, Indigenous Australians are more likely to suffer from serious illness,” he said.
“If people in community contract COVID-19, the higher rates of chronic health issues and the difficulty accessing health care, would make it hard to control the spread.”
Large family units housing together are the biggest concern for health professionals working in remote Indigenous communities, Mr Mulholland said.
Miwatj Chief Executive Officer Eddie Mulholland Source: SBS /Aneeta Bhole
“Overcrowding issues in housing, cultural ceremonies with large groups of people and large family units could make the spread [worse],” he said.
“We would be concerned that if there is a blow out in East Arnhem land it could wipe out a large proportion of the Yolngu people.”
Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt said the program was important to not only prevent the loss of life but also maintain ties to history and culture.
“The thing that is more important to me is preventing the death of an elder,” he said.
“I've said in the past, they are our history. They are our knowledge keepers. We have to keep them here to pass on knowledge to the next generation of leaders.”
The $3.3 million is expected to go towards the purchase of equipment, transport, training, software support, quality assurance, data reporting and communications across health clinics.
The list of remote and rural communities to benefit from the program is yet to be decided.
It is expected to be developed over the coming weeks, with the program expected to roll out mid-May.
Remote Indigenous communities have already been closed to outsiders in a bid to protect residents, with many in Darwin already returning back to country.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000. SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments.
