Supporting Indigenous Health Services in Humpty Doo

Joint Media Release

The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP

Senator Sam McMahon

The Australian Government, through the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA), has delivered $500,000 to Danila Dilba Health Service Aboriginal Corporation to support the establishment of a new health clinic in Humpty Doo.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the clinic that opened this week will deliver better health services and employment opportunities for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Danila Dilba works hard every day through primary health care to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Darwin and its surrounding regions,” Minister Wyatt said.

“This new rural health clinic will provide Indigenous Australians access to essential and culturally-appropriate health services closer to home.

“Primary health clinics such as this not only address immediate health needs, but also long-term illnesses and chronic conditions to help improve quality of life and life expectancy.”

Senator for Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon, said the clinic provides increased employment, training and development opportunities for local Indigenous people.

“Aboriginal health clinics are so important for regional and remote communities in the NT,” Senator McMahon said.

“They become a centre for wellbeing for individuals as well as the community as a whole by providing broader health promotion and outreach services beyond routine health checks acute clinical services.”

Danila Dilba’s Chief Executive Officer, Olga Havnen, said the clinic will increase the comprehensiveness of health care services offered in the region.

“The new building features five consultation rooms, an emergency treatment room with ambulance access, a pharmacy and dry store, and all the amenities we need to do our work safely,” Ms Havnen said.

“This means a better quality of care and community services for the Biluru people in the Yilli Rreung (greater Darwin) region of the Northern Territory.”

Danila Dilba Health Service is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and co-funded the new clinic.

The ABA is a Special Account that collects and distributes mining royalties for the benefit of Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory. An Advisory Committee that includes members nominated by each land council recommends grants provided through the account.

More information on ABA grants is available on the National Indigenous Australians Agency website, https://www.niaa.gov.au/resource-centre/indigenous-affairs/more-information-aba-grants