Infrastructural upgrades and a brand new clinic as part of funding towards First Nations healthcare

A Cassowary Coast primary health service has been awarded a hefty grant to help improve health outcomes of Indigenous communities in Innisfail, Babinda and Tully. Read the details.

An Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation servicing the areas of Innisfail, Babinda and Tully has been awarded a $4.7m grant to build a new primary care clinic in Innisfail, Senator Nita Green announced on Monday, with an expansion of capacity to deliver GP clinics, consultation and waiting rooms and staff spaces

Mamu Health Services has received the grant as part of a nationwide $120m investment announced last December towards bettering infrastructure and facilities in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector.

Of the $15m allocated to Queensland, a sizeable chunk was also awarded to Wuchopperen Health Service in Manoora towards “badly needed” infrastructural upgrades to their airconditioning and ventilation systems.

Wuchopperen chief executive Dania Ahwang said the $1.5m would help them with capital investment which, according to her, was just as important as money towards operations.

The Clean Air Project would focus on improving quality of air within clinics in the nearly 30-year-old buildings on premises to maintain safety of the community, staff and clients, Ms Ahwang said.

Wuchopperan Health Service at Manoora will receive a $1.5 million upgrade as part of the federal government's community health grants. Wuchopperan Health Service CEO Dania Ahwang, Executive Director of Primary Health Care Ben Jesser, Queensland Senator Nita Green, Wuchopperan Facilities Manager Ryan Brown and Chairwoman Donnella Mills make the announcement at the Maroora campus. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We are looking at it kicking off later in the financial year, delivery and completion by end of next year – that is the expectation,” she said.

“We have other capital projects planned which will be a continuation of what we have done – like making pathways more client friendly, integrating and upgrading the look of individual buildings.

“These upgrades would bring the building to contemporary standards and help maintain health standards.”

Newer infrastructure would also reflect in lower operating costs, she added.

The developments would be a pathway to solving other crucial issues in the Indigenous health space including employee shortage, pay parity issues, training of current workforce and training and development of future workforce.

Wuchopperan Health Service at Manoora will receive a $1.5 million upgrade as part of the federal government's community health grants. Wuchopperan Health Service Executive Director of Primary Health Care Ben Jesser, CEO Dania Ahwang, Chairwoman Donnella Mills and Facilities Manager Ryan Brown make the announcement at the Maroora campus. Picture: Brendan Radke

Wuchopperen Health Service chair and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Donnella Mills chair acknowledged the mental health needs of First Nations communities and praised the “enormous” funding allocation.

“Being the year of the referendum, allocation will go across community-controlled health organisations to make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are feeling additional pressures, trauma during what is a very big year for us and our community can receive that additional support locally,” she said.

Senator Nita Green emphasised on the effectiveness of a holistic model for First Nations communities in providing not just primary health care but also mental health and suicide prevention.

“At Wuchopperen, you can see an optometrist and a counsellor at the same time,” she said.

“That is what is key about these organisations – ensuring all services are provided.”

Originally published as Infrastructural upgrades and a brand new clinic as part of funding towards First Nations healthcare