Jabiru Health Centre set to open in September

A $20m health centre opening in the heart of Kakadu is set to provide critical services.

A $20m health centre is set to open its doors proving critical services to remote Territorians and tourists in the heart of Kakadu National Park.

The Jabiru Health Centre is now complete with Aboriginal community Controlled Health Organisation Red Lily Health set to deliver the primary healthcare service providing renal, paediatrics and dental capacities to the remote community 254 km east of Darwin.

Red Lily Health Board chair June Nadjamerrek said the local people and Aboriginal corporations were consulted in the design of the new centre, resulting in a culturally-appropriate, purpose built facility at Jabiru.

The Jabiru Health Centre is set to open in September 2024 with the $20m facility to be run by Aboriginal Controlled Health Organisation Red Lily Health.

Ms Nadjamerrek said the centre had eight consulting suites, including paediatric rooms, four multipurpose allied health examination rooms, a dental surgery which includes sterilisation and work rooms, and dedicated separate waiting areas for men and women.

Critically, the health centre will expand renal dialysis services for people living in West Arnhem by opening a four-chair renal room.

The NT Health annual report said the Territory had the highest rate of chronic kidney disease in the country, with Aboriginal Territorians disproportionally affected.

Aboriginal Controlled Health Organisation Red Lily Health Board chair June Nadjamerrek .

Specialised facilities also include an audiology consulting room with a hearing booth, an X-ray room, a medication store and private pharmacy, a four-berth morgue with a viewing area and an external, culturally appropriate ceremony area adjacent to the morgue.

There will also be emergency capabilities at the health centre, such as a drive-through ambulance bay and an emergency department with two resuscitation bays.

However during the transition from NT Health management to the Red Lily Health, residents have been warned the centre will be open only for emergency on-call acute services for four days from August 29 until the grand opening.

The Jabiru Health Centre is set to open in September 2024 with the $20m facility to be run by Aboriginal Controlled Health Organisation Red Lilly Health.

The new health centre is one part of the Traditional Owner’s vision to transform the town of just over 1000 people into a tourism and services hub for West Arnhem, and move Jabiru away from its declining mining-based economy due to the scheduled closure of the Ranger Uranium Mine.

It has been three years since the design contract for the $20m remote health centre was announced in 2021, however construction was anticipated to be complete by late-2023.

Health Minister Selena Uibo said the new remote health centre reflected the government commitment that “Territorians deserve the best health care, no matter where they live”.

“It is through good infrastructure in remote communities, listening to community needs and working with Aboriginal community Controlled Organisations like Red Lily that our Territory Labor Government supports better health outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians for years to come.”