This project will implement a region-wide screening program that leverages artificial intelligence, run from a mobile four-wheel-drive van, operated by a diabetes educator and an Aboriginal health worker. It includes multidisciplinary specialist oversight that provides specialist care on country through telehealth services and regular site visits.
Lions Outback Vision has hit the road running in 2024, with Alex braving the heat and looming cyclones to offer screening for diabetic retinopathy and build partnerships with local organisations across the Pilbara.
Key partners in the West Pilbara include Karratha Central Healthcare and Panaceum Pilbara, as well as more local organisations such as Nintirri Centre and IBN Group. These organisations collaborate to provide the Strengthening Aboriginal Health program and Integrated Chronic Disease Care program in Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Bellary Springs, Wakathuni, Onslow and Bindi community. These programs provide regular access to allied health professionals including dietitians, podiatrists, exercise physiotherapists, and diabetes educators. With our collaboration bringing eye health to the table, people with diabetes can now get all the necessary regular diabetes checks at the same time, reducing their risk of complications.
In the East Pilbara, we have partnered with Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS), which provides primary healthcare services across the Great Sandy, Little Sandy, and Gibson Deserts. Through this collaboration, we will be servicing Newman and Jigalong, and giving local Aboriginal health workers an opportunity to be upskilled in operating the van and equipment, increasing the sustainability of the project.
An Australian first as part of the Warlu AI project has been to deploy a novel laser that is a fraction of the weight of other comparable treatment devices – the Norlase LIONTM. This enables follow-up on screening with treatment on country, where the specialist flies in to provide laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy with the head-mounted ultra lightweight laser. Lions Outback Vision’s award winning patient education videos are used to help with patient awareness and culturally safe consent for laser treatment. For many patients in remote locations, travel to regional centres is required for treatment. This barrier leads to treatment being delayed and poorer outcomes. Bringing treatment to patients on country using the Norlase LIONTM laser will increase the number of patients receiving timely treatment.
In August 2023 Lions Outback Vision officially launched our brand new mobile sprinter van, marking the beginning of a transformative journey to bring multidisciplinary health screening to remote communities in the Pilbara.
The van will deliver a diabetes focused screening service integrated with existing primary health care and connected to specialist management. The service is now officially known as Warlu AI.
The launch, held in Newman, was attended by representatives from Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS), Western Australia Country Health Service (WACHS), and the Lions Outback Vision team.
Immediately after the launch, the van embarked on a trial journey to Jigalong offering diabetic retinopathy screening. This allowed the team to engage with the local community while testing the van on challenging dirt roads, ensuring its adaptability to the unique terrain of the region. Identifying and ironing out any potential issues during this trial phase was crucial to ensuring the van's reliability and effectiveness in delivering essential healthcare services in the future.
The van has recently completed an extensive tour of the Pilbara, making stops in key locations such as Onslow, Tom Price, Wakathuni, Bellary Springs, Paraburdoo, Newman and Jigalong. In Jigalong the van was able to support the visiting Rheumatic Heart Disease team, who gave the van a big thumbs up for accessibility and ease of patient management.
This tour served a dual purpose, allowing the team to meet and build relationships with local stakeholders and primary healthcare services while refining processes and procedures in preparation for full-scale operation next year.
Behind the scenes, the Lions Outback Vision team continues to progress their ethics application and collaborate with stakeholders to develop protocols and pathways for the holistic service integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI).
The mobile van proudly wearing its first ubiquitous coating of Pilbara dust.
Associate Professor Angus Turner presenting the onboard retinal camera, with AI integration, that will be used to provide on the spot telehealth consults.
