Program to offer health services to SW families

Federal Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt has officially launched a mothers and babies health program at the South West Aboriginal Medical Service in Australind.

The New Directions: Mothers and Babies Services program aims to build stronger, healthier and more resilient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

Mr Wyatt said the Noongar name for the service was Moodij Boodjari Moort meaning strong pregnant families.

“It means that young mothers and children will have access to good health care with programs that support them through their pregnancy and after the birth,” he said.

“It just means they will end up with healthier babies who will live longer and whose risk of having a shorter life has been reduced.”

Mr Wyatt said the service would be a great benefit for indigenous people living in the South West.

“It means that Noongar kids in the Bunbury region and the South West are having programs that come to them and that means they will be looked after,” he said.

“In 20 to 30 years time we will be looking back and saying what a great decision it was to put this service in Australind to complement other services that SWAMS is now administering.”