Mullangari Mura – new diabetes clinic in Yass

Robin Vote – Indigenous Health Project Officer, Federal Member Alby Shulz and Eric Bell, Chairman of the Buranya Aboriginal Corporation

MEGT has had a close relationship with the Buranya Aboriginal Corporation for the past few years and admires and respects the work they have been doing through Ngunnawal Community Care to help approximately 100 elderly Aboriginal Australians stay at home rather than go into care.
 
We are pleased to have contributed in a small way to the refurbishment of the Ngunnawal Community Care offices in Yass in time for the launch of their new health service to the region. The refurbished premises now are a bit more cosy with the new carpet and heating.
 
From Goulburn to Canberra, Ngunnawal Community Care offices will pick up elderly customers and take them into Yass for a free health check including a full diabetes assessment.
 
The Southern General Practice Network has partnered with Ngunnawal Community Care to deliver this service through the Federally funded Closing the Gap program which is part of the Indigenous Chronic Disease Package.
Called ‘Mullangari Mura’, the monthly diabetes clinic will be held on the third Wednesday of every month at Ngunnawal Community Care (next door to the hospital) in Yass. The first clinic will take place on Wednesday 20 April from 9am to 5pm. GPs can encourage their patients to attend – no referral is required. The emphasis will be on self management and preventive strategies in a supportive and relaxed environment.  

A diabetes educator, Aboriginal health workers, nurses and a podiatrist will be available at the free clinic. This multi-disciplinary approach has been tried and tested at our Healthy for Life diabetes clinics on the coast, where we are seeing Aboriginal people getting their diabetes under control and enjoying better health and wellbeing as a result.
 
The launch was held on a sparkling sunny day on Saturday 2nd April 2010 at the Yass Memorial Hall. Guests were entertained with music, jumping castle and a barbecue.
 
Attending the launch were Robin Vote, the Indigenous Health Project Officer for Closing the Gap program, local Federal Member Alby Shulz and Eric Bell, Chairman of the Buranya Aboriginal Corporation and an elder of the Ngunnawal people.