Health Minister Ambrose Tours First Nations Health Centre

Latest Technology Improving Health Delivery to Siksika Nation

SIKSIKA FIRST NATION, AB, April 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Minister Ambrose toured the Siksika Health Centre to see first-hand the innovations and the latest technologies being used to improve the health and well-being of First Nations.

The Centre, which opened in 2007, is one of the most technologically advanced First Nations health centres.  It was built and operates as a partnership between the Siksika Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta.

During the tour, Minister saw first-hand the impact of recent investments in electronic health records and heard about the broad range of clinical and preventative health services offered.

Following the tour, Minister Ambrose was also briefed on the efforts by the Siksika community to rebuild the buildings and repair the damage done by last spring's historic flood.

Quick Facts

• Siksika Health Centre serves 6,000 members of the Siksika First Nation. Its programs are supported by the Siksika Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta.  It provides a wide range services including: primary care, community health and wellness programs, assisted living facilities, and diagnostic testing.
• The Siksika Health Centre was an early adopter of tele-health technology and launched Alberta's first electronic immunization information system for First Nations in 2012.
• The Centre is home to a number of unique programs including a Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention Clinic, an integrated Elder Care program and a Rheumatology Clinic.

Quotes

"Touring this facility helped me understand the positive impact the e-health initiative has had on health delivery to the Siksika Nation. It demonstrates the great improvements we can make by working with our First Nations and provincial partners to bring the latest technology into the Canadian health system."
Hon. Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

"Siksika Nation is proud to showcase the treatment and prevention programs serving our community. The good working relationships we have with our federal and provincial partners have helped make these initiatives possible, and we're honoured to show Minister Ambrose how they are delivered at our Health and Wellness centre."
Vincent Yellow Old Woman
Chief, Siksika Nation

Associated Links

Siksika Health Centre

Image with caption: "Minister Ambrose toured the Siksika Health Centre and received a demonstration of the state-of-the-art X-ray technology from Margaret Kargard, Clinical Services Team Leader (L-R Counselor Barry Yellow Fly, Minister Ambrose, Margaret Kargard, and Elder Teresa Bear Chief) (CNW Group/Health Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140404_C8729_PHOTO_EN_38864.jpg

SOURCE: Health Canada

Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
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