"Cape York communities own solutions to live long healthy lives, strengthening our culture and regaining our spirit""
Apunipima Cape York Health Council was established in 1994 as an advocacy organisation providing leadership in health advocacy and consultation. Overtime its role has evolved and Apunipima is now responsible for the delivery of a full range of primary health care programs to eleven of the 17 Cape York communities via its Primary Health Care Unit
With a budget of just over $17m Apunipima delivers a comprehensive primary health care service through its dedicated team of Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners, outreach midwives, podiatrists, audiologists, physiotherapists, dieticians and nutritionists, diabetes nurses educators and several doctors.
Nearly all of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are based in Cape York communities with a particular focus on delivering high quality, culturally appropriate chronic disease and maternal and child health services directly to the people of Cape York.
Funded through both State and Federal monies, our four priority areas are broadly family health, chronic disease, social and emotional wellbeing and alcohol, tobacco and substance use.
Apunipima is a membership organisation and is governed by a board of elected members. At a grass roots level our Health Action Teams, made up of community residents, work with us to identify specific health priorities for their community.
Apunipima has a health centre in Mossman Gorge and offices in Cairns, Cooktown, Mapoon and Coen and is committed to increasing its infrastructure base to support improved access to services in other communities.
Working closely and collaboratively with our fellow health service providers Cape York Health and Hospital Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Apunipima is determined to improve the coordination of heath service delivery in Cape York with the aim of Closing the Gap.