THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health
and Regional Services Delivery
9 November 2009
**EMBARGOED UNTIL 12 NOON 9TH NOV 2009**
MINISTER OPENS NEW PUKATJA MEDICAL CLINIC IN ERNABELLA
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, officially opened the new Pukatja
Medical Clinic in Ernabella, in far north South Australia today.
The old clinic, operated by the Nganampa Health Council (NHC) on Anangu Pitjantjatjara
Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, was destroyed by fire in September 2006, and was rebuilt with
financial assistance from the Rudd Government.
“This community was left understandably devastated by the loss of this important provider of
medical services in the region,” Minister Snowdon said.
“Thankfully, through the assistance of the Rudd Government, a shortfall in funding of
$566,707 was able to be found to assist in the rebuilding of the clinic.”
Nganampa Health Council is an Anangu (Aboriginal) community controlled health
organisation that has provided comprehensive primary health care to people living on the
APY Lands since 1983.
NHC operates nine clinics across the APY Lands and an aged care respite centre located at
Pukatja (Ernabella).
NHC provides the following services from the Pukatja Clinic
Primary Health Care services
Visits from specialist medical staff (eg paediatricians, podiatrists, optometrists etc)
Dental services
The Rudd Government funded hearing services provided through the Office of Hearing
Services and delivered by the Government service delivery agency, Australian Hearing are
also provided at this site.
X-ray services will also be provided in the near future, as digital x-ray equipment has been
purchased and staff will be trained in its operation.
Media contact: Alice Plate, media adviser, 04000 45 999
NEWS 
