‘HEART 5’, the world’s first mobile health unit to aid in the early detection of mine dust lung disease in regional QLD workers, has hit the road.
Developed by Chelmer-based Heart of Australia, HEART 5 launched their fifth truck at a February event held in the RNA Showgrounds. The project was made possible through the partnership with the Queensland Government and Resources Safety and Health Queensland which contributed $2 million towards the build and operation of the mobile unit.
The project will see the state-of-the-art mobile unit bringing “high-quality respiratory health screenings to mine and quarry workers in regional and remote parts of the state.”
“This means workers won’t have to travel as far to access highly specialised services, ensuring earlier detection and intervention in cases of mine dust lung diseases like black lung and silicosis,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.
HEART 5 is loaded with an x-ray machine and a world-first battery-powered, high-resolution computerised tomography (CT) scanner. Philips and I-MED designed and built the battery technology that will power the CT scanner and will allow HEART 5 to do a CT whilst parked on a mine site.
“HEART 5 breaks down the tyranny of distance, so if you do have a lung disease, we can find it early and quickly,” Heart of Australia founder Dr Rolf Gomes said.
“We have implemented the toughest mine safety laws in the world, lowered allowable levels of dust exposure, prescribed requirements for monitoring and reporting, and enhanced health surveillance across the mining sector,” Mr Stewart said.
“We’re proud to have HEART 5 on the road helping to uphold our high standards for health and safety in the resources sector, and our government will continue to support workers, on and off the job site.”
“With the launch of HEART 5, our CT truck, we will be finding more, treating more, and saving more lives,” Dr Gomes said.
Heart of Australia has been delivering specialist medical services to regional, rural and remote area communities across Queensland since 2014. The clinic-on-wheels has so far seen more than 12,000 patients, saved more than 500 lives and served more than 30 communities.