The Allan Labor Government ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls can access culturally safe healthcare closer to home by strengthening the Indigenous health workforce.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas has recently announced at the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum in Ballarat that the Labor Government will provide $300,000 to the Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) to deliver a dedicated Aboriginal women’s health workforce initiative.
“Aboriginal women know what our communities need, and these grants will help to build and strengthen the Aboriginal women’s health workforce, embedding cultural safety and better care,” VACCHO Chief Executive Dr Jill Gallagher AO said. “Self-determination in Aboriginal women’s healthcare is the only way we can ensure we keep our mothers, aunties, sisters and daughters safe, healthy and thriving for generations to come.”
The program will offer one-off grants of up to $5,000 for health clinicians employed by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to upskill in areas of women’s health. The grants will enable clinicians and ACCHOs to address the health needs of Aboriginal women and girls better, providing more effective care.
The grants can be used flexibly to support clinicians across the ACCHO sector in building their knowledge and skills in women’s health, while also enhancing organisational capacity.
“We know that when we listen to Aboriginal Victorians, we get the best health outcomes,” Minister Thomas said. “These grants will upskill 50 clinicians right around Victoria – equipping them with the tools, confidence and skills they need to provide the very best care to First Nations women.”
This initiative is being delivered as part of the Labor Government’s landmark $153 million women’s health package. The package is supporting the delivery of 20 new women’s health clinics, new mobile and virtual women’s health clinics, a dedicated Aboriginal women’s health clinic and the expansion of the women’s sexual and reproductive health hub network.
Creating a culturally safe healthcare environment that acknowledges, understands and respects the strength and diversity of Aboriginal peoples, communities and cultures is central to Victoria’s ongoing journey to remove unnecessary barriers to the optimal health and wellbeing of all Aboriginal people in Victoria.
For more information, visit the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program page.
Read also: New research shows First Nations women have the largest gender pay gap
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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