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Ampilatwatja Health Centre
Location:
320 km North East of Alice Springs
Category:
Medical Student and Junior Doctor
Population:
Approximately 500
Major Language Groups:
Alyawarra
Description:
Ampilatwatja (pronounced um-bludder-watch) is the largest of three communities under the Aherrenge Aboriginal Association. In the 1970s a large cattle station of Utopia was handed back to the traditional owners on a land buy back scheme. This area was then governed by the Utopia/ Urapunga Council. In the 1990s the traditional owners of the Ampilatwatja area of this land sought and established their own distinct council and land boundaries.
Road:
320 km North East of Alice Springs,100 km of sealed road, 220kms of dirt. The drive takes about 4 hours one way if road is in a reasonable condition. 4WD is recommend and essential after the rains, the road is subject to flooding during wet season (Jan/Feb)
Air:
Flights takes 1 ½ hours. Mail plane runs weekly but is too small for passengers. Only passenger flights are via charter ex Alice Springs. Airstrips are used by RFDS service and accessible day or night. It is closed in heavy rain.
Seasonal Access:
Heavy rain can close the road and airstrip
Outstations Serviced:
Three out-stations with the main ones being Irrultja (50kms away) and Atnwengerrp (30km away
Facilities:
The health centre has 3 consulting rooms and 2 emergency rooms with separate waiting rooms allowing for flexibility when catering for cultural requirements. The centre operates the following programs;
- Healthy Eating
- Women’s health
- Men’s health
The centre is visited on a regular basis by visiting nutrition and paediatric specialists.
Links:
http://www.aherrenge.nt.gov.au/home/home
http://www.ampilatwatja.com/
