The Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-Operative is the latest health service to run desperately short on its supply of personal protective equipment.
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GP Thileepan Naren says a dwindling supply of testing kits and PPE is keeping him up at night.
The health service could be forced to turn patients away or worse, close their doors, if their critically low stocks of testing kits, N95 face masks and gowns weren't replenished soon.
"We are seen as the first port of call for Aboriginal people and it's terrible for us to potentially let some people down if we don't have what we need to take care of them."
"Our community feel culturally safe at BDAC and my concern is if they have to attend another clinic, they wont."
BDAC has fewer than 20 testing kits and a few handfuls of masks and gowns left and the operation of its drive thru fever screening clinic beyond this week is in doubt.
"That clinic will be shut down soon because of a lack of testing kits," Dr Naren said.
Murray Primary Health Network is one of 31 primary health networks in Australia tasked with providing PPE and supplies to central Victorian GP clinics, pharmacies and Aboriginal health services.
Murray PHN chief executive Matt Jones said the only form of PPE received by PHNs from the Department of Health are surgical masks and limited numbers of N95 respiratory masks.
"Masks are only one component of the PPE capability required by health practitioners dealing with coronavirus," Mr Jones said.
"PHNs have not had access to gowns, gloves, goggles, sanitisers or any other personal protective equipment.
READ MORE: Bendigo's first positive coronavirus case
BDAC has explored privately sourcing PPE, but Dr Naren says there is no expected time of arrival for the clinic's next delivery of coronavirus test kits.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more susceptible to contracting coronavirus, due to higher rates of pre-existing medical conditions, according to the state Department of Health.
The testing criteria is also broader for this group, to encompass any individual with a fever or respiratory symptoms.
"We aren't alone, but given the criteria for testing, we haven't been resourced enough to fulfill our mandate," Dr Naren said.
Mr Jones said Murray PHN has not received advice for health providers if their stocks of PPE run out.
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