Health Council of Canada's Support of Blueprint on Aboriginal Health
AFN Press Release ...
National Chief Welcomes Health Council of Canada's Support of Blueprint on Aboriginal Health
OTTAWA, Feb. 7 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine welcomed the Health Council of Canada's strong endorsement of the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health process, contained in today's Second Annual Report to Canadians, Health Care Renewal in Canada: Clearing the Road to Quality.
"The Health Council recognizes that the urgent need to close the gap in poor health between First Nations and the rest of Canada can only be achieved through collaborative action," said National Chief Fontaine. "Over the past year, the Assembly of First Nations, based on input from First Nations regions and communities, developed a detailed First Nations-specific framework to the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health. This Framework received support from all provincial premiers and territorial leaders at the First Ministers Meeting in Kelowna."
The Blueprint on Aboriginal Health was a commitment first made by First Ministers and Aboriginal leaders in September, 2004. The AFN's contribution can be found at www.afn.ca
"It is reassuring that independent experts of the Health Council of Canada have closely examined the Blueprint and have recognized its 'historic importance' and 'tremendous potential' to improve Aboriginal health in the next decade," said the National Chief. "Canada's new Minister of Health, Tony Clement, has already informed the AFN that he is prepared to move forward on working through the details of the Blueprint. I look forward to our first face-to-face meeting in the coming weeks."
The First Nations Framework includes many transformative elements that can achieve common objectives identified by the Health Council of Canada: improving waiting times, protecting patient safety, building First Nations health human resources capacity, and clarifying roles and responsibilities among federal, provincial, territorial and First Nations governments. Reducing waiting times is a key priority for the new federal government and for all Canadians.
"New investments will be necessary to achieve the Blueprint's objectives," stated National Chief Fontaine, "Without securing the additional funding announced last November, the First Nations health system will be capped, resulting in funding shortfalls, which will translate to reduced, deferred, or the elimination of necessary services."
It is the AFN's position that a holistic approach addressing all health determinants is the long term strategy needed to ensure lasting and meaningful progress on addressing the gap in health status between First Nations and other residents of Canada.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
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For further information:
- Bryan Hendry, AFN, Health and Social Communications, (613) 241-6789, ext. 229 or cell (613) 293-6106;
- Don Kelly, AFN, Communications Director, (613) 241-6789 ext. 320 or cell (613) 292-2787;
- Ian McLeod, AFN, Bilingual Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789 ext. 336 or cell (613) 859-4335;
- Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief; (613) 241-6789 ext. 243 or cell (613) 298-6382