In a nutshell
The National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Taskforce (NIKTT) was established to improve access to life-saving kidney transplants for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Through advocacy, policy development, and collaborative action, the NIKTT works to bridge the gap in kidney health outcomes and ensure equitable access to transplantation services.
NIKTT recommendations
Established in 2019, the National Indigenous Kidney Transplantation Taskforce was formed to address the inequities in kidney transplantation access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. From its extensive work, the NIKTT developed the following three key actions and associated recommendations, reflecting consumer, Community, and clinical priorities:
01.
Immediate improvements to access and services
02.
Ongoing Secretariat to monitor and progress transplantation equity
03.
Additional research projects to address drivers of inequity
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Outreach Assessment Clinics: Sustainable funding for multidisciplinary clinics in rural and remote locations, including transplant coordinators and educational sessions
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Indigenous Reference Groups (IRGs): Establishment and support of IRGs at all transplant hospitals, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and health workers
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Renal Health Workforce: Development and resourcing of renal health roles (navigators, nurses, physicians) embedded within renal and transplant units.
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Monitoring Progress: Use ANZDATA to track improvements in waitlisting, transplantation, and post-transplant outcomes, including annual scorecards for renal units
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Maintaining Focus: A coordinated network with annual gatherings, consistent community engagement, and online resource portals
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Exploring Non-Kidney Organ Transplantation: Support pathways for non-kidney organ transplantation access in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
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Addressing Barriers: Research and implement solutions for additional barriers such as obesity, treatment uptake, and reversible health issues in rural and remote regions
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Designing Initiatives Across the Transplantation Pathway: Investigate solutions for post-transplant care, paediatric transplantation, culturally tailored education, and organ donation.
What now?
In a nutshell
The NIKTT is currently funded through 12-month grant projects thanks to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. We are working closely with the Commonwealth Government to create a long-term plan for Community-led implementation of NIKTT recommendations across all States and Territories.
What can you do?
We need your help to progress this work further. There are a number of things you can do as a consumer, clinician, advocate, or policy maker.
01.
Advocate for implementation of the National Strategy.
02.
Ask your local representatives what is being done for transplantation equity.
03.
Implement anti-racist practices at your service or unit.
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Read the National Strategy for Organ Donation, Retrieval and Transplantation here
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Ask your local JOTSC representative what is being done to implement the strategy
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Ask your local jurisdictional health departments what they are doing to implement the strategy
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Write to your local member of parliament or Minister for Health and ask them about the National Strategy
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Ask your local representative what your government is doing about increasing access to kidney transplantation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
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Read the Cultural Bias report
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Read our MJA Supplement paper on culturally safe models of care
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Enact anti-racist, culturally safe models of care and practices in your workplace and community
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