Optus Lifeline: Data SIM Cards Help Save Lives in Flood-Hit NSW

Imagine breathing like a fish left out of the water, gasping for breath, you’re home alone, with no phone credit or data, no way to call an ambulance, no asthma puffers, no transport to get help or see a Doctor. and the nearest person lives too far away for you to walk. What would you do?

Luckily staff from Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) found the man who was suffering from an asthma attack while sitting outside his home. We were able to help him then and in the future. Optus coverage works at the Aboriginal mission where he lives. He was overwhelmed to be offered an Optus sim card with 12 months of unlimited data. The sim card has given him the power to connect with medical care which can save his life.

He and others live near the Murray and Darling Rivers in far west News South Wales where reliable internet is often a distant dream.

The floods caused increased costs like having to buy water and travelling longer distances, leaving less money for living and luxuries like phone data.
The Optus data sim cards has meant our patients and clients have been able to access not only data but phone access through applications like social media resulting in some of our most vulnerable people being able to connect with their family, community, to access essential services and stay informed during a crisis.

CHAC sincerely thanks the Department of Communities and Justice for the flood recovery grant, as well as Optus & Good360 for connecting us with this donation.