The Victorian government has announced funding for Koori Maternity Services across the state.
The $15.8 million funding boost will support ten Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) throughout Victoria, with Mary-Anne Thomas noting the government acknowledges it "must close health gaps".
"This means ensuring we have a health system that works for every Victorian," she said.
"These services are about culturally safe care, connection and community for Aboriginal mothers and their babies."
Aboriginal mothers and their babies deserve the same health outcomes as any other mother and child in Victoria, the government said in a statement, with services aimed at delivering culturally safe, high-quality pregnancy care.
CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Dr Jill Gallagher, said, "For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, culturally safe care is the foundation of trust, dignity and healing."
"VACCHO welcomes this vital funding to support our ACCHOs, as they help set up our Boorais for the strongest start to life."
Healthcare delivered by ACCHOs is grounded in culture, connection and kinship, and provided by clinicians with an understanding of communities, their needs and lived experiences.
The goal is to ensure more Aboriginal women access antenatal care earlier in their pregnancy, fewer women smoke during pregnancy, fewer babies are born prematurely, and fewer babies die during pregnancy or soon after birth.
The funded ACCHOs include:
Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Services
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative
Bendigo and District Co-operative Ltd
First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative
Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association
Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc
Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Limited.
More information is available online at health.vic.gov.au/patient-care/aboriginal-maternity-services.
