Health · Healthcare & Policy · 6 hrs ago
Documentary highlights kidney transplant gaps for First Nations people
Kelli Karrikarringka Owen eventually received a kidney transplant in 2016 after years of dialysis for a genetic kidney disease.
She says the medical system initially refused her family members’ offers to donate because they were Aboriginal.
First Nations people are twice as likely to have chronic kidney disease as non-Indigenous adults in Australia.
In 2022, 16 per cent of First Nations people receiving kidney replacement therapy had a functioning transplant, compared with 48 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians.
A new documentary called “In Contrast” explores these unequal outcomes through interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Access to specialist care is harder in rural and remote communities, where services are less available.
The documentary has premiered in Sydney and Adelaide, while health researchers say more visiting clinics are needed.
A documentary titled In Contrast highlights gaps in kidney transplant access for First Nations people.
In 2022, 16 per cent of First Nations people receiving kidney replacement therapy had a functioning transplant, compared with 48 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians.
Kelli Karrikarringka Owen says her family’s offers to donate a kidney were refused when she needed a transplant.
Owen received a kidney through the national donor program in 2016 after about three years of dialysis.
The documentary’s creator, Peter Crumpton, travelled with Owen to remote communities to interview First Nations people about their transplant experiences.
- Who
- First Nations people, including kidney patient Kelli Karrikarringka Owen, and documentary creator Peter Crumpton.
- What
- The documentary In Contrast highlights gaps in kidney transplant access and experiences.
- When
- It premiered in Sydney and Adelaide; the premiere date is not stated.
- Where
- It covers experiences in remote communities across Australia and premiered in Sydney and Adelaide.
- Why
- Crumpton said he wanted to highlight the discrepancy in transplant rates.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Owen said her family members offered to donate kidneys when she needed a transplant, but the medical system refused.
Owen travelled from Murray Bridge to Adelaide for dialysis three times a week.
Owen received a kidney from a donor in New South Wales through the national donor program.
In Contrast premiered in Sydney and Adelaide.
- Transplant rate, First Nations people
- 16 per cent had a functioning transplant in 2022
- Transplant rate, non-Indigenous Australians
- 48 per cent had a functioning transplant in 2022
- Owen’s transplant
- 2016
- Owen’s dialysis travel
- About one hour each way from Murray Bridge to Adelaide
- Documentary
- In Contrast
What people are saying
This is systemic racism that I’m talking about
Basically, they were saying that because my family was Aboriginal that they couldn't donate, which is bollocks.
There is a need for more specialist visiting rural and remote locations and providing clinics there.