New Indigenous Primary Care Team created

A new primary care team has been formed to help bridge current gaps in health care for the Indigenous population within the traditional territories of the Dokis, Nipissing and Temagami First Nations.

The North Bay Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care team is slated to receive provincial funding to provide comprehensive and culturally-safe services.

“The North Bay IIPCT is a community-driven and Indigenous-governed organization that includes members of multiple professions working collaboratively to provide holistic, accessible and culturally safe care,” explains Kimberly Lalonde, Director of Health Services for Nipissing First Nation.

“There is a long-standing gap in this type and level of service for this area,” says Chief Scott McLeod. “The opportunity to offer Indigenous-led primary care services is a significant and necessary step to address health inequities experienced by First Nation, Inuit and Métis people.”

The North Bay IICPT will provide: traditional and community healing services; health assessments, diagnosis and treatment; primary reproductive care, access to pre- and post-natal care and obstetrical care; primary mental health care; primary palliative care; service coordination and referral, including home and community care coordination; telemedicine services; health promotion and disease prevention; and chronic disease management programs, including diabetes, asthma, mental health and addiction services.

Until now, Nipissing, Dokis and Temagami First Nations’ Health Centres have been federally funded and mandated to provide public/community health care.

They were not resourced to offer primary care services similar to those offered in other communities until the recent funding announcement.

Photo submitted: The Lawrence Commanda Health Centre in Garden Village