Medical service a salve for mind, body and spirit

A multimillion dollar Aboriginal health facility in Newman opened last week allowing local Indigenous people to stay on country to access treatment. The $8 million Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Services funded by the Federal Department of Health meant people would not need to travel to Perth for medical services for the first time, eliminating chaperones, travel and accommodation costs. It will also provide the emotional and psychological boost of being treated on familiar, life-affirming land surrounded by family. The facility will house two GPs, a pharmacy, chronic disease and kidney dialysis specialists, a dietitian, child health nurses, and speech and occupational therapists, as well as smoking and mental health programs. PAMS chief executive Robby Chibawe, pictured, said not having an Aboriginal medical facility in Newman had hindered the local community in the past. “Newman has never had an Aboriginal medical service. There has been a huge gap,” he said. “Aboriginal people are better off being looked after in their culturally appropriate setting and that is offered by the Aboriginal medical services. “All their primary healthcare needs will be met locally in Newman as well as in the desert.” Newman resident Susan Bung who is on kidney dialysis said receiving treatment in Newman instead of in Perth would be beneficial as it eliminated the need to go to Perth regularly. “It’s going to be so good, just to come back home. You just feel one with the land, one with the town. You feel you are complete,” she said. “Leaving home and going on a plane is really heartbreaking. You just don’t want to go but you’ve got no choice. For me, I can’t help it I just start crying. It really hurts me to leave home. “The new facilities is just beautiful. It’s so relaxing. Everything about it is so nice.” A BHP spokesperson said BHP invested $764,000 in the facility.