BEATING STATISTICS
Visionary doctor bringing rural heart health into line with city
THE lives of hundreds of rural and regional residents will be saved through access to heart health care after the launch of a mobile cardiac and respiratory service in Toowoomba.
Heart of Australia is the largest custom-built mobile clinic in Australia and will extend capital city levels of care to people who might otherwise miss out.
Indian-born project founder Dr Rolf Gomes, the driving force behind the service, spoke passionately about the need for the mobile bus in regional areas.
“Heart disease is a leading cause of death in Australia,” he said.
“However, people living in rural or remote areas are 44% more likely to die from heart disease than their city-dwelling counterparts.
“For some people in these areas it can be a day’s drive or longer to see a specialist.
“Clearly this means many people will put off what could be a life-saving appointment - but having a service that comes to them will make things a whole lot easier,” he said.
Arrow Energy CEO Andrew Faulkner said his company had become Heart of Australia’s foundation partner to improve services in Arrow’s regional operational areas.
“Arrow has long held that health is a key pillar of its corporate social responsibility and this is why we have supported many community projects to improve health
Pe‘
ople living in rural or remote areas are 44% more likely to die from heart disease than their city-dwelling counterparts.
outcomes in our areas of operation,” Mr Faulkner said.
“Heart of Australia takes this to another level.
“With it, we have become part of something that will make a difference to many people’s lives.
– DR ROLF GOMES
“Rural and regional people will now have access to world-class facilities and expertise in their own towns, and this is the thing that most appeals to me.”
Heart of Australia was launched in Toowoomba’s Queen’s Park last week by Federal Minister for Industry and Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane.
The Heart of Australia mobile clinic is a custom-built, $1.5 million, 25m-long semi-trailer with specialist diagnostic equipment and technology, staffed by a team of cardiologists and respiratory specialists on a rotating roster.
Dr Gomes said the mobile service would provide diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for a range of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
Dr Gomes surveyed more than 180 regional GPs who were showing increasing frustration at seeing patients who needed specialist attention they couldn’t access where they lived.
“They overwhelmingly supported a Heart of Australia-type program,” he said.
“Heart of Australia has been created to change the existing situation.
“My firm belief is that we will be saving lives.”
A timetable and further information is available at www.heartofaustralia.com.