MARTU ELDERS CALL FOR NEWMAN HOME STAY

BY TANGIORA HINAKI

Martu elders and the Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, or PAMS, are pushing for a hostel to house visitors needing medical care in Newman.  

PAMS has been running dialysis services in Newman for two years, giving Martu people access to life-saving treatment. But with no affordable accommodation, many end up sleeping rough or staying with family in overcrowded homes.  

PAMS CEO Robby Chibawe says it’s not right that people travelling from Perth and surrounding communities for health care, sorry business, and Lore have nowhere to stay.  

“This hostel is so important. Mr Chibawe said. The dialysis centre has been going for two years successfully, aiding elders and other patients back to country where they can be near family and culture. Where can we put them in terms of accommodation? Expecting Elders to be spending nights with families in Newman when those families are already over crowded in those homes. It’s not fair.”

Image supplied: Martu Elder, Kennedy Finlay

Martu Elder, Kennedy Finlay says some mob sleep rough in the bush while accessing local medical care.

“ We want to have a hostel here in Newman. He said. We do go to appointments in Perth when our Kidney fails and our people want to come back from Perth to Port Hedland, Jigalong and Newman. Some of them don’t have a house and end up at the scrub camp and then become homeless.

“ I want them to build a hostel like the one in South Hedland. Its good, got a kitchen, office and a couple of beds and big square room, a big shower there. We want to see a design like that.

BHP has committed $4 million and donated land, but the project still needs WA government funding.  

Member for the Pilbara, Kevin Michel, did not respond to Ngaarda Media’s request for comment.