Page 982 - Week 03 - Thursday, 7 April 2022
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Clinics were located in the Belconnen suburbs of Evatt, Higgins, Kippax and Macquarie, with additional locations in Coombs and Chisholm, and one on the ANU campus. Like thousands of other Belconnen residents, my family had been members of the co-op for many years, and this news left us all concerned about what might happen. Thankfully, all four of the former National Health Co-op clinics in Belconnen were quickly sold and are still open and able to provide essential services to residents in my electorate.
Today I acknowledge the Nigerian Association of Medical Doctors in the ACT and the central role that its member doctors played in preserving these local clinics. Ten of these skilled medical professionals from Nigeria, determined not to let their communities down, made the brave decision to expand their roles from medical practitioners to practice owners. These 10 doctors purchased six of the seven existing clinics, providing a soft landing for thousands of Canberrans.
I honour that decision, as I honour all entrepreneurs and small business owners in this territory. To these doctors, I say thank you. I also wish to thank the Nigerian Association of Medical Doctors in the ACT for mentoring and supporting these important professionals and for its role in fostering collegiality and networking between its members and their communities.
This past week, it was my pleasure to attend the association’s awards ceremony. I thank Dr Uche Menakaya, the association’s president, for his leadership and for his kind invitation. I also take the opportunity to publicly congratulate all of the doctors who received much-deserved awards on the night. Our community is a better place because of good people like the members of the Nigerian Association of Medical Doctors in the ACT. Thank you.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
The Assembly adjourned at 5.50 pm until Tuesday, 3 May 2022 at 10 am.
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