Vancouver: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $8.2 funding to support the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) on Friday.
Along with Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu, and leaders of the FNHA and the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) on Coast Salish Traditional Territory, Trudeau announced the signing of a renewed 10-year Canada Funding Agreement with the FNHA in British Columbia, to deliver better health care for First Nations in the province.
According to the press release from the Prime Minister’s office (PMO), through the agreement, $8.2 billion in funding will support the FNHA as it continues to deliver and improve the health systems that serve and support over 200 First Nations communities in the province.
The press release adds that it includes but is not limited to continuing to develop innovative supports for mental health and wellness needs, increasing access to quality, culturally safe care, and strengthening coordination between the FNHA and the provincial health care services to better meet the unique needs of First Nations communities.
“The Government of Canada transferred control of First Nations health operations in British Columbia to the First Nations in the province 10 years ago, following the signing of a historic agreement in 2011. Since then, the FNHA has transformed how health care is delivered to First Nations in the province, ensuring that health funding is distributed wherever it is needed most, to support healthy, self-determining, and vibrant communities across the province,” the press release added.
“The announcement is in addition to the recently announced Indigenous Health Equity Fund, a federal investment of $2 billion over 10 years to address the unique challenges Indigenous Peoples across Canada face when it comes to fair and equitable access to quality and culturally safe health care services,” said the PMO.