’We’ve finally achieved it so it’s testament to a job well done’: Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation takes control of the Manayingkarirra Primary Health Centre
ONE of the Territory’s busiest health clinics is now in local hands after a historic handover yesterday
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ONE of the Territory’s busiest health clinics is now in local hands after a historic handover yesterday.
Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation has taken control of the Manayingkarirra Primary Health Centre in Maningrida as part of the NT government’s local decision-making policy.
Mala’la chief executive officer Ray Matthews said the handover from the NT Health Department was years in the making.
MORE TOP NEWS
Territorians splash cash on retail as NT economy grows, again
Shonky builders put on notice in the NT under proposed reforms
The NT reaches one year since its first COVID case
“It’s something the community has wanted for over 20 years and we’ve finally achieved it so it’s testament to a job well done,” he said.
Mr Matthews said putting the clinic in local hands would lead to better health outcomes for residents.
“It’s not just about Mala’la it’s about the wider Maningrida community because they’re going to be the beneficiaries of community control in relation to primary health care services,” he said.
Mala’la chairman and director Charlie Gunabarra said it was an important day for a community that had to endure its recent challenges.
“There’s more people from homelands living in Maningrida so it’s a really tough life, you know, it’s life and death here and while we’ve got this Mala’la service running it’s something we’ve got to try and do better for our community,” he said.
HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1
Mr Gunabarra said he hoped Maningrida – a town with a population of almost 2500 people – could one day have its own hospital.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the NT government was committed to giving Aboriginal Territorians greater control over their lives.
Another NT health service bemoans 4G loss at short notice
Telstra has defended itself from claims it placed another health service in a difficult position by pulling the 4G rug out from underneath it, after an Aboriginal health corporation in the Barkly said lives had been placed at risk.
Territory organisations set to benefit from $70.4m splash
Fifteen Territory organisations are set to benefit from an investment from the federal government which will make a ‘huge difference’. Find out why.