The Alberta Government is investing $27.1 million towards two grants to assist Indigenous communities by improving access to culturally appropriate primary care for Indigenous patients.
The funding from the grants aims to help eliminate barriers to accessing primary health care faced by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. The Indigenous Primary Health Care Innovation Fund (Innovation Fund) and the Indigenous Patient Navigator Program (Patient Navigator Program) will receive the funding.
There is a significant amount of work we must do to rebuild trust with Indigenous Peoples – they face many challenges in accessing care, which has a profound impact on their health outcomes. Improving access to primary care is an important step for optimizing health. We are proud to provide funding so Indigenous communities can partner in the design and delivery of culturally safe care and improve the health of individuals, families and communities. – Adriana LaGrange, Alberta Minister of Health
Through the Patient Navigator Program, 18 organizations will receive up to $450,000 each in funding over three years and two successful applicants will receive the Innovation Fund.
Partnering with Indigenous communities to achieve better outcomes is what reconciliation is all about. These grant programs will help improve health equity for Indigenous people across the province through Indigenous-led solutions. I am so appreciative of the Indigenous communities and organizations supporting this critical work. – Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations
Under the Indigenous Primary Health Innovation Fund, $20 million will be invested by the Alberta Government over two years with the goal of supporting eligible projects. The fund supports programs and services that improve community capacity and health equity in ways that honour and respect Indigenous expertise, knowledge and traditional healing.
The Indigenous Patient Navigator Program will recieive $7.1 million with each organization recieveing a maximum of $450,000 over three years. The program aims to address the immediate challenges facing Indigenous Patients, communities and organizations by providing financial support to First Nation, Metis and Inuit partners and Indigenous-serving organizations.
The funding from the Indigenous Patient Navigator Program will enable organizations to reduce barriers to accessing primary care services across multiple service providers, support patient advocacy, increase access to resources, and improve care coordination.
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