THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health
Member for Lingiari
8 September 2011
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, today announced the Australian Government funding will provide Aboriginal mothers and their babies with better access to vital health care with access to new services in six Territory regions.
The Ampilatwatja Health Centre Aboriginal Corporation north east of Alice Springs will provide services to mothers and babies in Atnwengerrp, Irrultja, Welere and Honeymoon bore, while Wadeye and Maningrida will also benefit from an NT Department of Health service.
“We know these services are vital to deliver health support to ensure Aboriginal mothers and their babies get the best head start in life,” Mr Snowdon said
Under the New Directions Mothers and Babies Services program participants will have improved access in the important early years to antenatal and postnatal care, essential information about baby care, practical advice and assistance with breastfeeding, nutrition and parenting.
The Australian Government announced 20 new services around the nation today, building on 11 New Directions Mothers and Babies Services programs already operating in Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine, Yirrakala, Nhulunbuy, Elcho Island, Kintore, Katherine, Hermannsberg and Yuendumu.
“This announcement builds on the Labor Government’s commitment to halve the gap in mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children within a decade.
“We are making progress, the latest Productivity Commission report on Indigenous Disadvantage shows child mortality rates have been slashed by 48 percent over the past 20 years, outpacing the decline in non-Indigenous child mortality,” Mr Snowdon said.
Media contact: Minister Snowdon: Alice Plate 0400 045 999