A new community health clinic geared towards African Nova Scotians is set to open in Dartmouth North, making it the first of its kind in the area. The Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Nova Scotia Sisterhood Initiative are opening their fifth location, with the goal of bridging gaps and building trust within the Black community. The clinic will address the need for a Black initiative in healthcare, as many people were not accessing services due to various race-related barriers. By bringing the clinic to the community, there is a greater sense of belonging and accessibility for those in need of care.
Located inside The North Grove, a family resource center on Primrose Street, the clinic will offer services such as anger management sessions, salon talks, and barber talks in addition to primary healthcare. The hub services manager at The North Grove, Caralee McDaniel, hopes that offering health care services will attract more people in the Black community, who historically have not had access to culturally appropriate care. The clinic will feature a medical doctor, wellness navigator, and clinical therapist, operating by appointment only once a month.
The Nova Scotia Sisterhood’s community liaison, Ashley Preston, highlighted the importance of addressing the race-related barriers that have prevented many from accessing healthcare services. The goal of the clinic is to provide a comfortable and welcoming space for the community to receive care, ultimately breaking down barriers and building trust within the Black community. By bringing the clinic directly to the community, more people will have the opportunity to access the services they need without the added challenge of travel or other barriers.
The Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Nova Scotia Sisterhood Initiative already have several other locations in Halifax, East Preston, and Upper Hammonds Plains, offering a range of programs and services to the Black community. By expanding to Dartmouth North, they hope to further their mission of providing culturally appropriate care and support to African Nova Scotians. The clinic at The North Grove will build on the existing programs offered at the site, creating a comprehensive resource for health and wellness services for the community.
Caralee McDaniel, the hub services manager at The North Grove, emphasized the importance of offering culturally appropriate care to the African Nova Scotian community. By providing access to healthcare services in a familiar and welcoming environment, the clinic aims to address the historical lack of appropriate care for this population. With a focus on primary healthcare, wellness navigation, and clinical therapy, the clinic will offer a holistic approach to improving the health and well-being of the community.
Overall, the opening of the new community health clinic in Dartmouth North represents a significant step towards addressing the healthcare needs of African Nova Scotians in the area. By providing culturally appropriate care in a welcoming and accessible setting, the clinic aims to break down barriers and improve health outcomes for the Black community. Through the efforts of the Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Nova Scotia Sisterhood Initiative, this new clinic will be a valuable resource for those in need of primary health care services in the region.
