AIDA and AMA sign agreement to help close Indigenous health gap
Tackling serious health inequities affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is at the heart of a new agreement between the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding today, cementing a shared commitment towards addressing these issues, as well as empowering Australia’s future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors.
AIDA President Dr Simone Raye said the signing of the memorandum of understanding was not just a ceremonial act, but a powerful commitment to collaboration, trust, and a shared vision.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the AMA as we focus on improving the culture of medicine, for our workforce and our patients,” Dr Raye said.
“Clinical safety is cultural safety, and it is essential we continue to improve outcomes for our people. By uniting in purpose, we can continue to unlock endless possibilities through our work towards a shared vision of a culturally safe healthcare system.”
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the new agreement would unlock further collaboration with AIDA and foster the growth of a culturally safe expert medical workforce.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a right to affordable and culturally safe healthcare, no matter where they are in Australia,” Professor Robson said.
“Disappointingly, racism and discrimination are still present in our community, which contributes to a significant health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
“This memorandum of understanding will accelerate collaboration between the AMA and AIDA as we work towards closing that gap.”
As part of the agreement, signed at the AMA’s federal offices in Canberra, the AMA and AIDA will also work together to help create new opportunities for success, growth and excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors in the Australian healthcare system.
This will involve advocating for cultural safety across the medical education and training pipeline to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students, trainee doctors and specialists are able to thrive in their careers.
