57 new Cultural Support Workers recruited


The Cultural Support Program (CSP) at the Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub welcomed 57 new Cultural Support Workers (CSWs) during their induction training held in Sydney recently.

The new recruits completed an initial induction training aimed at preparing them for their role within the Cultural Support Program of the Diversity Hub.



The training introduced the CSWs to a range of topics including the NSW health care system, community development, health literacy and in-language resource development, working with the ethnic media as well as providing reflective sessions involving use of art and theatre.

CSWs bring a lot of passion and cultural insights, making our health care system more responsive, said Denise Voros, CSP Coordinator.
 
“They breathe fresh perspectives into our workforce with their unique experiences and enthusiasm.  They reinvigorate our links with diverse communities and help create a safe environment of mutual trust and partnership between communities and government agencies in NSW,” Ms Voros said.

MHAHS hosts Korean delegates

A delegation from the Korea Alliance to Defeat AIDS visited the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) on 18th May.  Led by Jang Tae Yong, Director of Gyeongnam Provincial Government, 11 members of the Alliance attended an information session on how the health care system responds to the needs of people from diverse cultural backgrounds in NSW.

The director of the Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub, Sydney Local Health District, Barbara Luisi, welcomed the opportunity to meet with the delegates.

“Hearing a different perspective is an important element of how we approach our work at the Diversity Hub. We appreciate the delegations’s interest in our work and hope the information presented gave them useful insights into how we work as much as they inspired us in our work with diverse communities, including our Korean community in NSW,” said Ms Luisi.
The delegates were provided with a range of presentations on the HIV response in NSW, the HIV testing and prevention campaigns and the HIV biomedical prevention. A range of Sydney Local Health Districts, including RPA Sexual Health Clinic, HIV and Related Programs (HARP) Unit, Health Promotion Unit and MHAHS were involved in arranging the presentation.

For more information about MHAHS, visit www.mhahs.org.au or call 95151234.

New emoji video encourages HIV testing

A new emoji video is encouraging testing this HIV Testing Week (1-7 June). Produced by Pozhet NSW in collaboration with the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS), the Never tested for HIV? video features a popular digital icon asking people if they had been tested for HIV.

Emojis are a simple and fun way to connect with others, according to Natali Smud, Senior Health Promotion Officer at the MHAHS.

“By adding the emoji to the video, we hope to inspire people to share the information and spark a conversation about HIV testing. HIV testing is easy and private. Get tested today,” said Natali Smud.
The video available in Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish is further complemented by a new Testing Options web page on the MHAHS website detailing HIV testing services including anonymous services and those not requiring a Medicare card.

“Lack of health information makes people vulnerable. By addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups, the Testing Options web page reduces health disparities by increasing access to vital HIV testing and care,” said Natali Smud.

For more information, visit our 2019 HIV Testing Week campaign page or email Sonam Paljor at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.

New multicultural health plan welcomed


The Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub of the Sydney Local Health District has welcomed the release of The NSW Plan  for Healthy Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: 2019-2023.

The new plan aims to ensure people from culturally and linguistcally diverse backgrounds have equitable access to health care services that are culturally responsive, safe and high quality.

There is widespread recognition that we need to do better in caring for the well being of people from diverse communities, according to Barbara Luisi, director of the Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub.

“There is a growing sense of urgency in NSW to do whatever it takes to improve the health care needs of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. The new plan will help us to refocus our effort to increase health service access and demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the health of people from diverse cultural backgrounds,” Ms Luisi said
The Diversity Programs and Strategy Hub is currently finalising its own plans to support the new state plan and work more closely with key stakeholders to improve health care access to people from diverse backgrounds across Sydney and South East Local Health Districts.