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Health Integration Initiative Report Released

NR 06-14 HII ENG Health Integration Initiative.doc

(November 1, 2006 — Iqaluit, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak and Government of Nunavut Minister of Health and Social Services Leona Aglukkaq today announced the completion of a multi-party consultation designed to improve health care in Nunavut.

The final report for the Health Integration Initiative Project is entitled Piliriqatigiinngniq – Working Together For the Common Good, The Health Integration Initiative Project In Nunavut.

The report sets out recommendations for the increased integration of federal and territorial health promotion and illness prevention programs and services in the areas of maternal and child health, dental health, mental health and addictions treatment for Nunavut. NTI, the GN and Health Canada believe the implementation of the report’s findings will lead to the development of more effective health care programs for Inuit.

The Health Integration Initiative Project’s final report will be used to further develop and implement a practical and culturally relevant strategy to improve health care services for Inuit in Nunavut, said Kaludjak. Most importantly, the report provides a Nunavut-specific approach to address the issues surrounding the delivery of mental health and addictions treatment services. Our Board of Directors made this a priority for NTI nearly three years ago.

The Department of Health and Social Services recognizes the importance of collaboration among front line care providers, whether they work for government, non-government organizations or Inuit organizations, said Minister Aglukkaq. Increased involvement from partners can only enhance our efforts to help Nunavummiut have healthy lives. The department is prepared to engage in more discussions with NTI and Health Canada with respect to how best to implement the important recommendations contained in this report.

Canada’s new government looks forward to building on this partnership and using the valuable information in this report to chart a way forward for the improvement of the health of all Nunavummiut, said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health. Together we are getting things done for families and taxpayers in Nunavut.

The Health Integration Initiative Project is a national program launched by Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, funded through the Aboriginal Envelope of the Primary Health Care Transition Fund. The Nunavut project was one of eight which took place across Canada. It is the first tripartite health collaboration to be directly managed and coordinated by an Inuit organization in Nunavut, enabling the project to be delivered from an Inuit perspective.

Copies of the report are available on NTI’s and Government of Nunavut’s website.

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