In northeast Alberta, Primary Care Alberta and partners have introduced the Wâhkôhtowin Mobile Health Clinic, serving Kikino and Buffalo Lake Metis Settlements with twice-weekly visits.
This service visits the locations twice weekly to offer essential medical aid to locals who typically must travel to bigger cities for treatment.
Partnerships and Services
The clinic was developed through a collaboration between Primary Care Alberta, the Metis Settlements General Council, TELUS Health for Good, and the Alberta government.
Medical offerings at the site will cover standard check-ups, assessment and treatment of common health concerns, chronic disease management and care planning, and health screening, prevention, and wellness support.
The healthcare team will work with Settlement leadership, community members, and local health partners to connect patients with other services when needs go beyond what the mobile clinic can provide.
Addressing Access and Cultural Needs
The initiative aims to improve access to culturally grounded care in communities where distance limits regular access to primary care. Partners said the clinic was shaped by priorities identified by the communities themselves.
Justin Wright, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, said the service was designed around local needs. “Bringing primary care directly to Kikino and Buffalo Lake will make it easier for residents to get the care and support they need, closer to home. This mobile clinic reflects what can be accomplished when governments, health partners and communities work together to develop services around local needs and priorities,” said Wright.
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The Metis Settlements General Council said the clinic addresses a long-standing need for more direct access to basic healthcare services for Settlement members.
“Meeting the complex health and wellness needs of our members in creative and efficient ways is a key goal of our eight Metis Settlements. Providing basic healthcare is a cornerstone of ensuring safe and healthy communities for our members. On behalf of the thousands of Settlement members that MSGC represents, I want to congratulate the partners and Settlement leaders who made the Wâhkôhtowin Mobile Health Clinic a reality. Kinanâskomitinawaw!” said Dave Lamouche, President of the Metis Settlements General Council.
Expanding Reach and Commitment
TELUS Health for Good said the clinic extends its mobile health programme to two additional communities. The company has committed USD $20 million through 2028 to the broader initiative, which has supported more than 420,000 patient visits across 29 Canadian communities since the programme began in 2014.
According to TELUS, its mobile clinics use the company’s electronic medical records software and mobility network as part of service delivery.
For Primary Care Alberta, the clinic is part of a wider effort to expand access to front-line health services across the province through a mix of direct provision, public health teams, and Health Link 811.
Technology and Network Integration
This integration supports the clinic’s operations, enabling efficient patient care and record-keeping.
