The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) recognises the importance of well-trained and culturally safe doctors in providing appropriate health care, and in turn, working towards closing the gap in the unacceptable health disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians. In 2016 – the 10 year anniversary of the commencement of the Close the Gap Campaign for Indigenous Health Equality; it is timely to reflect on the contribution doctors have made, and continue to make to this campaign and some of the ongoing challenges to meeting the targets.
Fostering the growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce is imperative in improving Indigenous health outcomes. This can be achieved through both increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors, as well as ensuring the provision of culturally safe health services.
