Warruwi Community Health Centre official opening
The community of Warruwi has celebrated the official opening of the Warruwi Community Health Centre that has been run by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS), the Red Lily Health Board (Red Lily) for the past two years. Two years on from assuming primary health operations, Red Lily and the community of Warruwi are celebrating this milestone with an official opening of the Warruwi Health Centre.
The Red Lily Health Board consists of representatives from areas including Warruwi, Minjilang, Gunbalanya, Jabiru and surrounding homelands. Red Lily Chair June Nadjamerrek said, “The Board would like to recognise Mr Lami Lami from Warruwi for his original vision for a community-controlled health service in West Arnhem.
“Many of the current Board members were inspired by his example and so pleased to see his dream become a reality in his homeland in September 2022.
“It is now time to come together to celebrate this achievement. This milestone provides the Board, staff, community members, stakeholders and all supporters the opportunity to thank those that have contributed to improving health in the community, and hear more ideas for future improvements.”
The health centre is staffed by a permanent team of clinicians including an Aboriginal Health Practitioner, doctors, experienced registered nurses and a midwife who are supported by local staff to deliver better health outcomes for people in West Arnhem.
The Northern Territory government continues to support the Warruwi Health Centre to patient-centred care closer to home, including through visiting specialist health services.
The Territory Labor Government believes in local decision making and has transferred primary health care services to over ten communities across the Territory since coming to Government in 2016.
In West Arnhem, Red Lily operate in the community of Minjilang on Croker Island, and will soon assume primary health care operations for the new Jabiru Health Centre once it opens in September.
Minister for Health Selena Uibo said, “Territorians deserve access to the best health care no matter where they live.
“Our Territory Labor Government has listened to community aspirations and worked with relevant national and local stakeholders to make that possible. NT Health will continue to support Red Lily to see quality health care delivered in Warruwi.”
Member for Arafura Manuel Brown said, “It was great to celebrate this milestone of two years of community-controlled health services in Warruwi – this is why I am part of the Territory Labor Government, it is a Government that listens to community aspirations and does the hard work to make it reality.
“I would like to acknowledge the work of Red Lily and the strong leadership of the Board so Territorians in West Arnhem can have community-controlled health care.”
As part of the Lawler Labor Government’s commitment to local decision making, the Territory Labor Government worked with Red Lily, the Commonwealth Government, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and the Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NT PHN) to transition operations to Aboriginal community control in West Arnhem.