CHETWYND -- Chetwynd’s Mîýomâcihêwi Kamik Northern Nations Wellness Centre is set to welcome new patients this fall.
The centre will offer primary health care, social services, and Indigenous health supports, ensuring culturally safe health-care services.
“Dismantling and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism from B.C.’s health-care system continues to be a key priority for our government,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, in a press release.
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) announced that recruitment for clinical and support roles is currently underway. Until these positions are filled, services will be limited.
This initiative, made in collaboration with the provincial government, aligns with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
The Act aims to provide First Nations-led health care that incorporates traditional wellness values.
The centre in Chetwynd is one of 13 other primary care facilities slated to open across B.C.
“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 Dr. Terri Aldred, FNHA Medical Director for Primary Care.
Once all clinics open, the FNHA says there will be three clinics in each regional health authority across the province for a total of 15 First Nations primary care centres.
