Leading the way in Aboriginal health

A free health clinic designed to meet the needs of Yass’ local indigenous population is 

growing its services.

The Mullangari Mura – Pathway to a Healthy Life project is an initiative of the Ngunnawal Aboriginal Corporation.

The clinic currently offers a diabetes educator, Aboriginal health worker, a podiatrist, an optometrist, and audiologist and last month - in a coup for the clinic - it secured the services of a doctor to attend each month.

“It means we’re becoming a really good option for local Aboriginal people to come and feel culturally safe and get their needs met,” co-ordinator Cecilia Pavlovic said.

“Aboriginal people [belong to] a very vulnerable group, and getting the community together and focussing on health matters is really significant.”

The clinic is awaiting approval for funding to provide separate centres for women’s and men’s business.

The women’s centre would provide specific support for lactation issues, a newborn and early childhood clinic, testing and women’s health checks, legal counselling, household budgeting and other services.

The men’s centre would provide testing and counselling to address men’s health and cultural issues.

“We are focussing on the social, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.”

It’s aimed at personal development, improving an individual’s self-worth and hopefully creating a domino effect throughout the family.

She said there was an assumption Yass’ Aboriginal community had access to Canberra services, but this was often not the case.

“We provide a positive, culturally appropriate environment for aboriginal people.

“For health outcomes, we need to feel safe. It’s not just about health, [the clinic’s] focus is on helping the whole individual, and their families.”

The clinic is located in the old maternity building at Shannon House, next to Yass Hospital.