Expert panel to investigate why it is harder for Indigenous people to get a kindey transplant

An expert panel from the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand will investigate what are the factors that make it harder for Indigenous people to undergo a kidney transplant compared to other Australians. According to research in 2016 there were almost 2000 Indigenous people relying on dialysis or waiting to receive a kidney. Out of those only 13% actually underwent a transplant. The figure is much higher in other Australians, rising up to 50%. We hear more from Vasilis Ragousis

Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care Ken Wyatt at the National Press Club in Canberra, Wednesday, October 25, 2017. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

The Federal Government has launched an inquiry into the low kidney-transplant rates for Indigenous patients.

This task has been assigned to a team of experts from the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand. According to Federal Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt, a government funding of $250,000 would allow the Transplantation Society to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into what are the factors that prevent more indigenous people from undergoing a kidney transplant. 

Apart from identifying the causes, the team will also have to develop a national framework that will reduce the higher rates of end-stage kidney disease among Indigenous people.

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