A new health van is hitting the streets of the Sunshine Coast and beyond, to provide a culturally safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to receive care.
Sunshine Coast Health has launched the Nyina Budja (Live Strong) Health Equity Van – a mobile space that can provide health checks and give basic healthcare education to community members.
Senior Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Sharon Barry said the health service is committed to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the van provides an additional path to achieving this.
“The Sunshine Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equity Strategy includes key areas to achieving improved health outcomes including improved access, early intervention, health education, and culturally safe spaces to receive care,” Ms Barry said.
“The Nyina Budja Health Equity Van meets all of the above and provides an opportunity to deliver care to otherwise isolated patients who may not be able to access a hospital facility directly.”
The van has been fitted out to include a sink, patient podiatry chair, in-built benches, and storage, and can be driven with a C class licence. It is available to book by any service within Sunshine Coast Health.
“The van will be used for a number of health screening activities including lung health, vaccinations, child health checks, foot health checks, sexual health and health assessments,” Ms Barry said.
“Above all, it will also just be a safe place for the community to come in and have a yarn with our staff about any health issues impacting them.”
The artwork on the Nyina Budja Health Equity Van was created in collaboration with Aunty Betty McMahon, a Sunshine Coast community elder.
Her painting, The Gathering, represents the importance of community coming together and yarning to drive real change. Yarning circles are a traditional method used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to communicate, share knowledge, and build relationships.
The van artwork integrates elements from these artworks while also incorporating local features that hold significance to our community and includes images of water, mountains, trees, and animals to represent the diversity of the region.
“The artwork symbolises unity, resilience, and the ongoing journey towards achieving health equity,” Ms Barry said.
“It reminds us that through collaboration, respect for cultural heritage, and a shared commitment to positive change, we can create a future where everyone can thrive.”
More than 12,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live on the Sunshine Coast, and the population rate is anticipated to increase rapidly.