A range of Territory health issues will be in the national spotlight at today’s COAG Health Council meeting in Adelaide.

The Territory Labor Government is investing heavily in improving health care for Territorians, and several areas of focus will be discussed at today’s COAG, including suicide prevention, mental health, disability services, renal health, eye health, rheumatic heart disease and hearing health.

Assistant Minister for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health and Disabilities, Ngaree Ah Kit, will attend the COAG, where draft roadmaps that set out the framework for delivering policies and programs to fight rheumatic heart disease and renal, eye and hearing health – all prevalent in the Territory – will be released.

Quotes from Assistant Minister for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health and Disabilities, Ngaree Ah Kit:

“The Territory Labor Government is improving health services for Territorians, and I will use COAG to voice the needs of Territorians across a range of important health issues so we can continue to build on the work we have done.

“The roadmaps on renal health, eye health, rheumatic heart disease and hearing health are of particular importance to the Territory, as these problems adversely affect large numbers of Territorians, particularly in our remote communities.

“Recognising that suicide and mental health issues are prevalent in the NT, this Government has overhauled the Northern Territory Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework and is reviewing the NT Mental Health Strategic Plan. This was an election promise and I am interested to hear what other jurisdictions are doing in this space.”

Media Contact: Leanne Hudson 0427 687 079