The remote Aboriginal community of Maningrida and surrounding Homelands in Arnhem Land will benefit from better access to medical care following the construction of a new health care centre, which has now officially opened.
The Australian Government, in partnership with Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, provided more than $14 million to design and construct the expanded Manayingkarirra Health Care Centre in Maningrida.
This project includes a new primary health care centre and staff accommodation to meet growing needs for services and expand clinical and emergency care capacity.
These improvements will help deliver better health facilities and support Mala’la to continue to provide high-quality culturally safe care.
The Australian Government is investing more than $600 million over seven years from 2021-22 to 2027-28 as part of the government’s Closing the Gap commitment and its work to strengthen Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
This includes more than $100 million to deliver modern, culturally safe health infrastructure across 25 projects in the Northern Territory.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“All Australians deserve access to high-quality care no matter where they live.
“This investment is delivering a new, larger primary health care centre and staff accommodation that will meet the needs of the local community.
“I want to thank the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and Mala’la for working with the Albanese Government to bring this project to fruition.”
Quotes attributable to Minister McCarthy:
“For families in Maningrida and surrounding Homelands, this new health centre means easier access to care, on Country, in a space designed with community at its heart.
“This facility has been shaped through partnership with Mala’la and the Maningrida community, and it will make a real difference, supporting healthy families and backing local people with the care they deserve.
“Strengthening Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services is an important part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
“The Albanese Government is working hard to improve access to quality health care for our First Nations communities and in partnership with Mala’la Health Service we will be able to deliver even more health services to the people of Maningrida.
“The redesigned and expanded centre will improve access to primary health care for those who live in this remote Indigenous community in Arnhem Land, building on the work that began decades earlier.
“Having good-quality staff accommodation will make it more comfortable and welcoming for health professionals delivering valuable care in the community and help with recruitment and retention.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour MP:
“We know that community-controlled health care delivers the best results for Aboriginal Territorians.
“The new Mala’la health centre will mean people in Maningrida can receive healthcare that is culturally appropriate and tailored to their specific needs, keeping them on Country and with family.
“Recruiting and retaining quality health staff is a challenge across the Territory and the new staff accommodations should make it easier for doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to come to Maningrida and make a huge impact to the local community.”