The Balgo project, led by Aboriginal community controlled organization Purple House, has encountered setbacks in its timeline, postponing the opening of the dialysis unit until the end of 2025. The delay, attributed to challenges related to wet season conditions, land lease agreements, and final regulatory approvals, has implications for Balgo residents who have been forced to seek dialysis treatment far from home. Due to the lack of dialysis facilities in Balgo, residents like Tossie Baadjo and Dulcie Nanala have been separated from their families, enduring significant hardships and expressing the urgent need for the facility's completion.
Purple House's chief executive, Sarah Brown, acknowledged the prolonged wait for the Balgo dialysis unit and emphasized the importance of finalizing regulatory approvals to proceed with construction. The delays have highlighted the critical need for dialysis services in the community, with council members recognizing the urgency by unanimously approving a planning permit for a four-chair dialysis clinic and staff accommodation in Balgo. Shire President Malcolm Edwards emphasized the necessity of the planned facility, underscoring the community's desperate need for dialysis services closer to home.