New Partnership Supports High-Quality Perinatal, Newborn, and Child Healthcare for Indigenous Peoples in Ontario: IPHCC and Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health Join Partnership

Posted on August 8, 2023

Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) and the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) are pleased to announce a new partnership for the future of equitable healthcare for Indigenous Peoples. This new partnership will foster high-quality perinatal, newborn and child healthcare for Indigenous Peoples with the mutual spirit of openness, respect and humility. Both Partners recognize that this partnership is vital in advancing Indigenous-specific health care whilst removing barriers in healthcare and to continually evaluate progress towards achieving health equity. 

At the core of this partnership is the value of truth-telling around Indigenous histories, experiences supporting reconciliation, healing and systemic change. Both partners recognize the barriers that exist for Indigenous women who experience perinatal mood disorders compared non-Indigenous women. To address this, the partnership strives to provide care that is rooted in culture as healing, a wholistic approach to healthcare that incorporates Indigenous ways of being and knowing.  

Bridging Maternal Care and Indigenous Health for Equitable Solutions  

The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) provides evidence-based and strategic leadership for perinatal, neonatal and pediatric health services in Ontario. With members and partners that are located on traditional Indigenous territories across Ontario, PCMCH successfully collaborates with the government, provincial agencies, regional maternal-child health networks, healthcare providers,patients and families to deliver the care that communities need. 

Looking Ahead: Paving Advanced Care for Maternal and Child Health  

Moving forward, IPHCC and PCMCH are committed to evaluating their collaborative work to ensure equitable, culturally safe, and solutions-oriented healthcare. Each year, both partners will undergo an evaluation process, celebrate achievements, and continue developing guidelines, resources and initiatives focused on perinatal, newborn and child healthcare for Indigenous Peoples in Ontario.