Students across the Perth, Peel and Upper South West regions will benefit from a culturally-based program to train them as health ambassadors.
The Malpa Young Doctors for Life program empowers Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students aged between nine and 12 to take control of their health destiny and help shape better health outcomes for their families and communities.
As part of the 15-week program, students will learn hands-on skills from Aboriginal Elders, doctors and paramedics in health leadership, nutrition, hygiene, and social and emotional well-being.
The program is inspired by principles of the traditional healing delivered for thousands of years by the Ngangkari – Aboriginal healers in Central Australia who pass down their skills to younger generations. The idea of children being “doctors” is deeply embedded in First Nations culture. Additionally, the Young Doctors for Life Program aims to share this experience with non-indigenous children, known as Malpas or friends on the journey.
During the program, students are encouraged to engage with their families and communities to spread their health knowledge and help transform community health behaviors.
The program also aims to bolster education outcomes in the regions where it is implemented, with studies showing improved physical and mental health is directly related to improved classroom participation and learning.
Ashburton Drive Public School and Calista Public School in Perth, Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School in Peel, and Waroona District High School in the Southwest have been identified as the first four of six schools in the region to participate in the program, which will run in terms 3 and 4.
The program has been delivered to about 3,000 students across Australia and is being expanded to the six schools across the Perth, Peel and Southwest regions thanks to more than $100,000 in support from global charity The Alcoa Foundation. The funding will assist healthcare solutions charity Aspen Medical Foundation to continue working with Malpa, which it has done for more than a decade.
CEO of Malpa Don Palmer said, “We are excited to extend our Australia-wide program to Western Australia. Sadly, the need to close the health gap for young First Nations people remains a challenge and we are delighted that our proven approach will now find a home and have an impact for young people in WA.”
Alcoa Foundation President Caroline Rossignol said this program is strongly aligned with the Foundation’s philosophy of building community resilience in the regions where global aluminum company Alcoa operates.
“We are incredibly proud to announce support for this program, especially during NAIDOC week,” Ms. Rossignol said.
“Instilling health-conscious behaviors in young people is critical to improving and sustaining their physical and mental health. This culturally appropriate program takes the extra step to engage families and communities in the students’ journeys.”
Aspen Medical Foundation Chair Sian Keys thanked Alcoa Foundation for its support in bringing the program to Western Australia for the first time.
Ms. Keys said, “Through our collaboration with the Alcoa Foundation, we are delighted to be playing a part in bringing the innovative Malpa Young Doctors for Life program to Western Australia. The Aspen Medical Foundation has worked with Malpa for a decade and has seen firsthand the positive impact that it can have on communities and health outcomes.”
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