Bayer’s ongoing partnership provides greater access to medical services in the bush

Bayer has a long history of being a part of Australia’s rural communities, working in partnership to improve the quality of life for residents. This includes our commitment to addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease through our support of the Heart of Australia mobile cardiology clinic.

Dr Rolf Gomes, a Brisbane-based cardiologist who less than four years ago launched  the Heart of Australia - an 18 wheel semi-trailer mobile clinic, unveiled the nation’s largest health road train, with the introduction of a second mobile medical services unit which will be put to work at the Cotton Growers Conference at the Gold Coast today. This second mobile unit will reach thousands more patients in regional communities’ giving them community access to a wider range of vital medical diagnosis and treatment.

“Since we hit the road with our first truck, which was specifically set up for heart disease work, we’ve seen more than 5000 patients and on the basis of our diagnostics and urgent referrals, Heart of Australia has saved more than 250 lives,” Dr Gomes said.

“That’s exactly what our program is all about – saving lives as we deliver specialist medicine to the door of (currently) thirteen bush towns so that the people out there don’t have to travel for days and wait months for city appointments”.

Having demonstrated the viability and impact achieved to date in relation to cardiac services, Heart of Australia has recently expanded its specialised services to include: 

• Gynaecology
• Gastroenterology
• Neurology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Endocrinology

Bayer is a proud partner of the Heart of Australia program, which we’ve sponsored since its inception in 2013, and has provided ongoing funding, helping the clinic deliver life-saving diagnostic and treatment services to the people of remote and rural South Western Queensland.

Tobias Marchand, Bayer Chairman and Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand commented “When Dr Rolf Gomes first approached us to support this inspirational and ambitious idea, we recognised someone that wanted to push the innovation boundaries and make a sustained difference to people’s lives.

“This mirrors Bayer’s purpose and we are so proud to have been part of the Heart of Australia’s journey so far.

“We are delighted to witness the launch of their second vehicle and look forward to seeing how much further Heart of Australia can go in bringing life-saving support to even more people who need it.”

Bayer has had a local presence since 1925 and recognises that access to essential specialised medical services in rural Australia is limited. The Heart of Australia partnership is one of many community initiatives to advance  Australian agriculture and improve health outcomes in underserviced remote areas.

 

 

ENDS

For further information:

Meshlin Khouri

0409 479 251

Bayer Communications