A landmark five-year partnership looks set to transform Indigenous health care in remote communities across the Pilbara.

The $5 million funding from Rio Tinto to the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance will enhance vital Indigenous-led health care for families across the Pilbara and treat patients closer to Country.

For example, the new Tom Price Dialysis Unit – the partnership's first project slated to open in 12-18 months – would provide transport, local accommodation and wraparound support for patients.

Construction of the renal dialysis unit, funded by the Federal Government, will operate six days a week and allow Aboriginal people to return home to Country while having treatment.

PAHA chief executive Ashley Councillor said the Rio partnership was significant for its community-led approach, with services tailored and enhanced to specific needs, priorities and aspirations of remote communities across the Pilbara.

A Banjima man with deep roots in the Pilbara, Mr Councillor has experienced the health challenges the vast region faces, with family ties across the Banjima, Nyiyaparli, Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi peoples.

"This partnership is grounded in listening to communities and working together to strengthen services," said Mr Councillor, who recently became the first Aboriginal CEO of the PAHA, which comprises member organisations Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (Newman), Wirraka Maya Health Service (Port Hedland) and Mawarnkarra Health Service (Roebourne and Karratha).

Previously acting chief operating officer at Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, Mr Councillor helped drive community engagement and member-led approaches to decision making – such as on-Country consultations, using local languages or interpreters where needed, and giving Elders and key family groups a major say in key decisions.

He believed the five-year, $5m partnership with Rio Tinto would improve the health of regional communities and inspire Aboriginal-led health governance in other remote areas.

"It empowers Aboriginal leadership in health planning and service delivery, so that solutions are community-led and culturally appropriate," Mr Councillor said.

Aboriginal people are almost seven times more likely to be diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease than non-Indigenous Australians, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare date, and in remote communities across the Pilbara, those rates are even higher, as access to dialysis services are limited.

Many Pilbara patients currently must relocate to towns far from their Country – or even to Boorloo/Perth – for dialysis and other essential treatments, which then led to other hardships, such as lack of accommodation or staying in overcrowded environments while treated.

Patients in Newman have had no option but to reside in homes with up to 10 others, for example, or sleep at local sporting clubs while being treated, with suitable housing unavailable.

Mr Councillor said people staying on Country for treatment while living back home was beneficial not just for the patient, but also their family and community.

While better access to treatment is now within sight, Mr Councillor is just as passionate and focused on prevention, citing poor housing as a major contributor to health inequality in the Pilbara.

"Investing in prevention, early intervention and Aboriginal-led governance structures helps set a proper foundation for long-term health improvements for our people," he said.

PAHA's partnership with Rio Tinto would also improve culturally appropriate primary health care to Aboriginal communities in the Shire of Ashburton, as well as providing preventative health programs that promote healthier lifestyles to help reduce rates of chronic health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes.

Rio Tinto said the initial five-year partnership with PAHA was in recognition of the critical gap in essential health services where the global miner operates, particular in dialysis care.

"We're listening to people living in the communities where we operate … and are pleased to commit our support to PAHA so they can provide Aboriginal-led health programs that will have lasting benefits and improve the quality of life for people in the Pilbara," said Richard Cohen, Rio Tinto's managing director of rail, port and core services.

Mr Cohen said Traditional Owners and Prescribed Body Corporate representatives in Rio Tinto's regional implementation committee, as well as PAHA's Aboriginal Reference Council, would advise additional projects throughout the five-year alliance.

"Thank you to the Traditional Owners who provided their valuable guidance in creating this partnership, as part of their role on the committee," he said.

Elder Kennedy Finlay, who grew up in Jigalong – a remote Pilbara community of 333 people – receives essential dialysis treatment at the Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service Dialysis Centre in Newman, just 165km from where he was raised.

"Access to culturally safe, local care means staying close to community and Country," he said.

"Newman is good. I feel better receiving treatment next to Jigalong."