The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and BHP are pleased to announce a partnership aimed at eliminating Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
ARF and RHD are preventable diseases disproportionately affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in regional and remote areas. Between 2016 and 2020, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accounted for 92 per cent of all ARF diagnoses in Australia.
As part of the agreement, BHP will provide A$9.7 million over three years, helping to fund critical health care initiatives delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled community health services across Australia. The funding announced today complements the A$18 million already committed by the Australian Government. An additional A$13.5 million is also anticipated following the Labour Party's election commitment to combat RHD in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes A$1.5 million that is prioritised for the investment in portable echo-cardiogram machines, training and support for primary health care workers, including Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners.
NACCHO Chief Executive Officer, Pat Turner, said: "NACCHO's partnership with BHP and the Australian Government is the first-ever national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sector-led initiative to combat Rheumatic Heart Disease in our communities. This partnership recognises that we are best placed to design and implement health services, including prevention, screening, early diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, for our own communities. This additional investment will expand the support provided by our community-controlled health services to deliver evidence-based ARF and RHD activities in their communities."
BHP's Chief Legal, Governance and External Affairs Officer Caroline Cox said: "BHP is proud to continue its support of NACCHO, building on partnerships established with the Aboriginal community-led health sector over many years. It is important that we back Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and put Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands, as NACCHO's vision sets out. We are determined to play our part in the collective action required to address the underlying causes of these health issues, such as inequality, inadequate housing and long-standing health inequities."
BHP's investment announced today follows A$5.9 million of donations to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled community health services throughout the pandemic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led COVID responses across the country.
