Alberta looks to strengthen healthcare, including Indigenous healthcare

Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in Fort McMurray. File photo.

On Wednesday October 18th, the Alberta government put together a plan that aims to ease the weight on the hospitals throughout the province by allocating funds through a new primary health care division within Alberta Health.

The division will see $57 million over three years be directly provided to family doctors and nurse practitioners, with each having the potential to receive $10,000 annually.

To support the health needs of people in Alberta, an advisory panel of healthcare professionals from across Canada and around the world put together an initiative called Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) last fall. The panel has been identifying immediate, medium, and long-term improvements to strengthen Alberta’s primary health care system.

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health, spoke in a conference announcing the plans by saying that “one goal is for every Albertan to have access to a primary healthcare provider where and when they need it.”

“Another goal is for Indigenous peoples to have access to appropriate care that meets the unique needs of their communities, and is free of racism,” LaGrange added.

Through MAPS, an Indigenous Primary Health Care Advisory Panel was formed to address the healthcare needs of Indigenous peoples throughout Alberta. One of the co-chairs of the panel is Dr. Tyler White, the CEO of Siksika Health Services. He explains the important role that the advisory panel plays in Indigenous healthcare, which is “to ensure that First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people have access to high quality, culturally safe primary health care services. No matter where they are in Alberta.”

Along with the new primary health care division, an Indigenous Health Division is also being created within Alberta Health to make sure these needs are met.

“As CEO of Siksika Health Services and a Siksika Nation member myself, I know the best solutions exist within our respective communities. Tailored for our unique needs and priorities. The commitments made today are an important first step towards improving health equity for Indigenous people, regardless of where they live in Alberta,” White added.

Listen to the radio feature below: