Heart 5’s world first early detection of mine dust lung disease truck

Heart of Australia is the first mobile specialist medical service bridging the distance for rural and remote-area Australians. Since starting in 2014 the program focuses on those in hard-to-reach regional areas whose lives are threatened by limited access to medical tests and treatments.

Heart 5 is the latest addition to the family of Heart Trucks. The new 34-wheeler truck which launched last month comprises of an X-ray and CT machine, making it a world first mobile health unit. This truck has been specifically designed to help with the early detection of mine dust lung diseases, such as black lung and silicosis, in regional workers.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said, “Heart 5 is a revolutionary piece of technology that will bring 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”, Stewart said.

Founder of Heart of Australia, Dr Rolf Gomes, founder said “through a collaboration with the Queensland Government, Phillips and I-MED, this technology has been made possible”,

“The Heart 5 truck can do a CT parked on a mine site – a world first, if you do have lung disease, we can find it early and quickly”, Gomes said.

To make an appointment with the Heart 5 truck, check what information is needed.

Heart of Australia also offer a corporate health initiative HOACHI which provides health screening, intervention and educational programs to rural and regional organisations.