Tuesday, 14 May 2024

First Nations health care

Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (14:34): Marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri in Wurundjeri translates to ‘community knowledge, community health’. These words represent the aspirations of my community-received, tailored and specific health care that works for the community and respects Indigenous cultures and knowledge. Historically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been subjected to some unsafe health and medical research practices. You only need to see the collections at medical schools overseas to know this. Since 2018 the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) has been advocating for an Aboriginal medical research accord to ensure that this never happens again.

Last week when I found out that the budget allocated $4.7 million towards this accord it was a proud day for the future of medical research in our state but also the world-class Parkville precinct. I know that many of the researchers, health professionals and community leaders have long advocated for this accord, and to see it come to life with this budget commitment is certainly good. It will be an important step in driving reconciliation in health and community research. A big shout-out to Jill Gallagher, the CEO of VACCHO, and Dr Misty Jenkins and all my black brothers and sisters working in the health and medical research community for all their efforts to date and those yet to come. Needless to say, I will be watching this with great interest.