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Moves to boost supplies of products for Bali burns victims

The Federal Government is looking at ways of ensuring adequate supplies of products for the treatment of badly burned victims of the Bali bombing, the Federal Health and Ageing Minister, Senator Kay Patterson, said today.

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16 October 2002

Moves to boost supplies of products for Bali burns victims

The Federal Government is looking at ways of ensuring adequate supplies of products for the treatment of badly burned victims of the Bali bombing, the Federal Health and Ageing Minister, Senator Kay Patterson, said today.

TransCyte, an important product is used as a temporary cover to reduce fluid loss and prevent infection for a sufficient time for the burns patient to be grafted with their own skin.

Senator Patterson said a further shipment of TransCyte was brought into Australia last night.

"Initial assessments by the Therapeutic Goods Administration this morning indicate there is sufficient product available in Australia to treat the current patients," she said.

"The TGA is liaising with the sponsors of this and other suitable products to assess their capacity to meet additional needs."

Senator Patterson said the TGA was looking at ways to source alternative skin and burns treatment products overseas to ensure continuity of treatment.

She said although the treatment of the victims' horrific burns was the most pressing issue, there would be a need for longer-term counselling for victims and their families to rebuild their lives.

Senator Patterson has spoken to State and Territory Health Ministers to thank them for their efforts during the tragedy and to ensure them that the Federal Government continues to play its role in co-ordinating a national approach to meet victims' needs.

"We will work with the States and Territories to ensure victims receive the care and rehabilitation they need," Senator Patterson said.

The Commonwealth has compiled a national list of State counselling and mental health resources to ensure people can access the services. A national list of 1800 numbers is available on the Department of Health and Ageing's web site - www.health.gov.au

Senator Patterson said counselling services were being provided to the relatives of victims by four Australian Defence Force chaplains, two psychologists and one trauma counsellor at the registration centre in the Australian consulate in Bali and at the morgue.

Senator Patterson thanked Australian pharmaceutical companies and private hospital groups for donating medical supplies and services to the Indonesian victims of the bombing.

Media Contact: Randal Markey 02 6277 7220 or 0417 694 520 Website: www.health.gov.au