New Indigenous Men's Health Centre Opens in Kununurra to Boost Medical Attendance

A dedicated Men’s Hub has opened in Kununurra, a remote town in northern Western Australia, to provide culturally safe health services for Aboriginal men. Operated by the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service (OVAHS), the centre offers walk‑in general practitioner appointments alongside social, emotional and addiction support, aiming to reduce the barriers that deter Indigenous men from seeking medical care.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicate that men are less likely than women to visit a doctor, with one‑in‑five men never seeing a GP. The disparity is more pronounced for Indigenous men, who are 2.3 times more likely to experience disease and have higher rates of chronic conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and mental health or substance‑use disorders.

OVAHS chief operating officer Caleb Edelsten said the hub was established after the service observed a decline in male patient engagement. Since its opening earlier this year, approximately 180 men have accessed the facility, and many have returned for follow‑up appointments, according to Edelsen and OVAHS staff member Shaun Cox.

The service’s leaders stress that continued and expanded funding is essential to sustain and grow the hub’s capacity. They argue that culturally appropriate care models are critical for improving health outcomes among Aboriginal men in remote regions of Australia.