Arabic version: إغلاق «يي إس إس إيه» يثير مخاوف بشأن سلامة مرضى غسيل الكلى

According to ABC News, the planned October 11 closure of Darwin’s YiSSA short-stay accommodation facility has raised concerns for remote Top End residents receiving dialysis treatment. The Northern Territory government recently rejected a $3.5 million shared-purchase offer from the federal government to keep the facility open.

Charlie Yabarrarr Dhamarrandji and Evonne Mitja Wunungmurra, who live in Galiwin’ku, have stayed at YiSSA for nearly three years while receiving dialysis in Darwin about three times a week. They described the service as a “godsend”, saying it provided shelter, transport to medical appointments and a place where they felt safe. The couple said they have found accommodation in Palmerston, but worried other residents with medical needs may not have alternatives.

Chloe Hill, a support worker with Panuku in Darwin, part of the Indigenous-led Purple House health service, said some dialysis patients had moved in with family members. She said overcrowding could leave renal patients sleeping on the ground and create further health risks. Ms Hill also warned that people without a fixed residence could miss transport pickups for renal treatment, potentially making them seriously unwell.

NT Children and Families Minister Robyn Cahill said renal patients were not among residents being shifted to Batchelor, about 100 kilometres from Darwin, and said YiSSA was “never intended” for medically vulnerable people. She said NT Health was helping patients find accommodation close to their treatment. NT Health could not provide the number of YiSSA residents receiving dialysis. Deputy chief executive of NT regional services Fiona Renshaw said a cross-government taskforce was coordinating transition planning and that NT Health was working with agencies to support continuity of care, including dialysis treatment.