16 Kidney crisis hits rural areas

28 March 2005 - AN outbreak of kidney disease in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands in South Australia is tearing people out of their communities and forcing them to live hundreds of kilometres away so they can be treated. More than 100 people from the Lands are being tested for renal diseases each week in Alice Springs, Port Augusta and Adelaide. At least 13 families have relocated to makeshift camps near Alice Springs and Port Augusta so family members can receive blood transfusions and other treatment. Aboriginal rights campaigner Les Nayda said renal units were needed in Pipalyatjara, Ernabella and Mimili to serve the growing numbers of Anangu people suffering from renal disease. He said water quality, which had been attributed to causing the kidney problems, should be assessed. 'This is past being wanted. It is needed desperately,' Mr Nayda said. 'The epidemic of renal disease surpasses the petrol sniffing problems.' click headline for more http://www.eniar.org/news/dialysis.html