The B.C. government and First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) announced plans Tuesday to open 13 new First Nation primary care centres around the province.
FNHA says the centres — 10 of which are scheduled to open this fall — are a “key step toward increasing access to culturally safe, primary health care in B.C.” The remaining three, FNHA says, are in development.
The health authority says care delivery in each centre will be unique and tailored to meet the needs of the communities it serves. The centres will operate in partnership with the local First Nations, FNHA, and the Ministry of Health to provide primary health care, social services, and Indigenous health supports.
“We recognize more work needs to be done to achieve our vision of healthy, self-determining, and vibrant First Nations children, families, and communities in B.C., and we invite all health-system partners and municipalities in B.C. to support our shared journey towards a safe and sustainable health-care system,” said FNHA Medical Director for Primary Care Dr. Terri Aldred.
FNHA says services will be provided as soon as possible, and the centres will offer more as positions become staffed by qualified professionals.
The 10 new centres welcoming patients this fall include:
- Kwakwaka’waka First Nations Primary Care Centre,
- Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations Primary Care Centre,
- Coast Salish First Nations Primary Care Centre,
- Gitxsan-Wet’suwet’en Primary Health Care Centre on Gitxsan Territory,
- Dadzi Wellness Centre on the Dak’elh First Nations Territory,
- Northern St’át’imc Primary Care Centre,
- Nlaka’pamux Nation First Nations Primary Care Centre in Merritt,
- Nuxálk Primary Care Centre,
- es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre,
- and the MîÝoMâCihêwi Kamik Northern Nations Wellness Centre on Treaty 8 Territory.
Other centres in development are:
- The Éyameth First Nations Primary Care Centre on Sts’Ailes Territory,
- The Fraser West mobile medical unit,
- and the Fraser South mobile medical unit.
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the initiative is part of the province’s goal to dismantle and eradicate Indigenous-specific racism from B.C.’s health-care system.
“Part of this work is expanding access to First Nations-led, culturally safe health care and work in partnership with the local First Nations and FNHA,” said Dix.
“Bringing the care and services people need closer to their homes, and are another important step forward in our journey toward Reconciliation.”
Once all the clinics are in operation, FNHA says, there will be three clinics in each of the five regional health authorities for a total of 15 First Nation primary care centres in the province.