NEW funding for primary health care services in Mossman will help keep Indigenous children healthy and ready to learn when they start school, according to Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch.

Entsch announced this week that Community Health Mossman would share in $74,328 as part of new funding to improve access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to better health care services, and ensure they are properly immunised.

It’s welcome news following the damning Closing the Gap report released last week which highlighted the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

“This is good news for the Douglas Shire,” Entsch said.

“The funding will make sure that an Aboriginal Health Worker can continue their important work, which includes carrying out home visits and supporting mothers and babies in Mossman and surrounding communities.

“This funding will have a direct benefit and help improve the health and life expectancy, as well as early childhood health and development, of Indigenous people living in Douglas Shire.”

Entsch said the health providers would be delivering services in culturally appropriate ways and congratulated Community Health Mossman for securing the grant.

“Closing the Gap on better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our region takes a step closer today.”

The funding is part of a $27 million investment over the next 18 months in Primary Health Care services and New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services, both under the Indigenous Australians’ Health Program.

These services include comprehensive primary health care; antenatal and postnatal care; information about baby care; assistance with breastfeeding, nutrition and parenting; monitoring developmental milestones, immunisation status and infections; and health checks and referrals for treatment for Indigenous children before starting school.

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