‘Anangu like the open space of their land, where they can smell the Spirit, the wildflowers and other plants. They want fire for the smell of wood smoke going through the air. They want to smell the flowers after rain.’ Committee member
Western Desert Dialysis Service Area
Faced with the prospect of their family members being forced to move away from country to seek treatment for End Stage Renal Failure, Pintupi people formed the Western Desert Dialysis Appeal. Their aim was to support renal patients and their families and return them to their country and families where they belong. In 2003 we were incorporated as Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation (WDNWPT). Our title means ‘making all our families well’. It recognises that if patients are sick and far from home, families and communities are sick and dysfunctional too. By returning dialysis patients to their communities where they can be supported by their families and can take part in community life, they are healthier and happier, and communities benefit from their presence.
We have had dialysis available in Walungurru (Kintore) since 2004. This was the first dialysis machine in a remote community in Central Australia and the Western Desert communities are justifiably proud of what they have achieved. They continue to care for their family members who have kidney disease, seek support for their work and share their story with other remote communities who battle with the same problems.
They are also working to reduce the incidence of kidney disease in the hope that their children and grandchildren will not need this arduous treatment.
We hope you take some time to look around our website. We welcome offers of help or enquiries from people wanting to know more about our work.
PLEASE TAKE CARE. ALTHOUGH WE ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING OUR WEBSITE, IT MAY CONTAIN THE IMAGES OR NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY.
