Province makes major investment in Vancouver Indigenous medical centre
Posted September 15, 2019 7:10 pm.
Last Updated September 15, 2019 7:23 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A centre providing healthcare for Indigenous people in Vancouver got a major financial boost Sunday.
Health Minister Adrian Dix announced the $1.8 million investment into Vancouver’s Lu’ma Medical Center.
Dix said access to primary healthcare is a concern for many British Columbians, but pointed out that rates of infant mortality, suicide, type 2 diabetes are higher in Indigenous communities.
“Ensuring people are healthy and responded to and supported, especially when dealing with chronic disease, surely that’s our priority,” Dix said.
Dix said the funding will pay for Lu’ma to hire 12 full-time health care professionals, allowing the centre to take on 1,750 more patients. Staff at the medical centre is made up of doctors, nurses, social workers, traditional healers, and Elders.
“Lu’ma will help connect more people, especially Indigenous peoples, with the health care they need, when they need it,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “For people who have been struggling to access culturally appropriate and respectful health-care services, this will make a big difference in their lives.”
He says patients can get care for physical, mental health, and counselling, housing and social services, addictions support, cultural ceremonies. New things to be built here include building a sweatlodge and onsite pharmacy, among other things. pic.twitter.com/St2V8cMHD5
— Lauren Boothby (@laurby) September 15, 2019
The funding comes from B.C.’s Ministry of Health and the B.C.’s First Nations Health Authority and will allow Lu’Ma to continue to offer integrated and culturally appropriate care.
“This announcement builds on the commitments made by the Ministry of Health and regional health authorities to transform health services for our urban Aboriginal citizens,” said Charlene Belleau, chair, First Nations Health Council. “The majority of our citizens live off reserve in various urban centres and this facility/service will provide culturally safe care.”
Lu’ma serves Vancouver’s urban Indigenous population and provides care to Indigenous people who travel from as far away as Bella Bella to access the care they need.
