Throughout June, Bridging the Gap Foundation has teamed up with Matilda’s goalkeeper, proud Noongar woman, and Canberra local Lydia Williams, aiming to assist the mounting Indigenous healthcare crisis in the Northern Territory.
Ms Williams is raising funds for The Ramaciotti Regional and Remote Health Sciences Training Centre (Menzies-Ramaciotti Centre) following a severe and systemic shortage of healthcare workers, particularly Indigenous staff, placing the healthcare system under enormous pressure.
This is one of the driving factors for ongoing poor health outcomes and unacceptable health inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, says Bridging the Gap.
The overcrowded, underfunded, and understaffed hospitals rely on fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers due to a lack of investment in career pathways for local people to enter the health workforce. The Foundation revealed the workforce turnover rate is estimated to be around 148 per cent.
“I am proud to work alongside Bridging the Gap Foundation to raise funds for the Menzies-Ramaciotti Centre’s trainees,” says Ms Williams.
“I understand the importance of culturally appropriate health programs and I am keen to promote education campaigns that highlight the importance of healthy lifestyles. This campaign kicks these goals for me.”
The Foundation’s goal for this campaign is to develop scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to train at the Menzies-Ramaciotti Centre and become the Indigenous health workforce the Northern Territory needs tp provide adequate care to vulnerable communities.
Bridging the Gap Foundation Deputy Chair and former Essendon player Dean Rioli says, “Bridging the Gap Foundation exists to fund health and education programs and pathways for our Indigenous youth, to improve health outcomes and bridge the eight-year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“We are very pleased to have the support of Ludia Williams to assist us with our campaign.”
To find out more or donate, visit btgfoundation.com.au/EOFY2022
Canberra Daily would love to hear from you about a story idea in the Canberra and surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.
