Health News For Champlain
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Champlain LHIN
Newcomers Benefit from Multicultural Health Navigator Program
Champlain LHIN and partners aim to bridge cultures, improve access to care
OTTAWA – Spearheaded and funded by the Champlain LHIN, a new initiative is connecting immigrants with the health services they need. The Multicultural Health Navigator Program helps people navigate the health system, find a primary-care practitioner, and take part in activities promoting health and well-being.
Launched earlier this year, the pilot program is operated by Somerset West Community Health Centre. Four part-time navigators work with individuals from four immigrant communities - Nepali, Somali, Arabic-speaking and Franco-African/Caribbean. All navigators are members of the communities they serve, and their work is already making a difference to clients adjusting to life in Ottawa.
“Many people are coming from refugee camps and have very limited education,” explains Nimo Farah, the community health navigator for the local Somali community. “They feel confused when they come here. There are a lot of things that they have never done before, like signing a form at a doctor’s office or finding transportation. We are here to assure them that they can navigate the health system, and to accompany them if they need help.”
Abha Satyal, a navigator working with the Nepalese community in Ottawa, adds, “A large part of my work is centred on empowering the clients to independently achieve their health goals. My biggest motivation comes from our communal spirit of helping each other. I like to think that I am here to share, not to preach and teach.”
Since January 2014, the navigators have conducted more than 200 home visits, found primary-care practitioners for roughly 150 individuals, and accompanied clients to over 180 appointments.
The Champlain LHIN, Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, and Somerset West Community Health Centre worked together to understand the needs and priorities of immigrant communities, and to develop the program model. The LHIN provided approximately $243,000 in 2014-15 to fund the navigators and project coordination. In addition, the LHIN continues to monitor the program’s progress.
“In a short period of time, this program has made a difference in the lives of newcomers to our region. Having access to health services that are culturally sensitive to the needs of refugees and immigrants is so important,” says Chantale LeClerc, Champlain LHIN CEO. “It means that people can have their health needs met so they can get on with their lives in their new country.”
The Multicultural Health Navigators, members of the Canadian Network of Community Health Workers, collaborate with settlement workers, health providers, leaders of ethno-cultural communities, and other agencies such as Ottawa Public Health.
“The Multicultural Health Program is a great example of how Local Health Integration Networks can build a community-based solution to meet the needs of the people they serve,” says Ottawa South MPP John Fraser.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Siffan Rahman
Program Coordinator
613-232-9634 ext. 412
srahman@swchc.on.ca
If you are a journalist needing more information, please contact our Media Line:
613-747-3250
Toll Free: 1-866-902-5446 x 3250
champlain.media@lhins.on.ca
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