Southern NSW Local Health District is supporting NAIDOC Week by highlighting its commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities across the State.
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NAIDOC Week, held every year in the first full week of July, celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme, “Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond”, honours all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have fought in defence of our country.
We proudly highlight and recognise the role they have played in shaping Australia’s identity and pause to reflect on their sacrifice.
More Aboriginal people live in NSW than any other Australian state or territory and improving Aboriginal health is a key focus for the NSW health system.
In collaboration with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council–NSW, NSW Health has released the NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2013-2023.
This 10-year plan focusses on changing the health system to ensure policies and programs meet the needs of Aboriginal people across the State with a key focus on improving Aboriginal health.
In addition, there are a number of initiatives already underway which are focused on improving Aboriginal health — such as an oral health program that funds scholarships to open pathways to dental study for Aboriginal Australians.
The project funded by NSW Health provides training for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote areas of NSW to become qualified dental assistants and also assist pathways into higher education studies such as oral health therapy or dentistry.
The Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service (AMIHS) is another initiative to help improve the health of Aboriginal women during pregnancy and decrease perinatal morbidity and mortality for Aboriginal babies.
AMIHS provides antenatal and postnatal care from as early as possible after conception up to 8 weeks after birth.