MEDIA STATEMENT 29 APRIL 2026
AMSANT welcomes new Congress Health Hub and celebrates 50 years of community-controlled care
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) has welcomed the opening of the new Congress Health Hub in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and congratulated Central Australian Aboriginal Congress on 50 years of delivering community-controlled healthcare.
AMSANT Chair Rob McPhee said the new purpose-built facility represents a significant investment in the future of Aboriginal health in Central Australia and strengthens a model of care that has delivered measurable improvements over decades.
“The opening of the Congress Health Hub is something to be proud of — it represents decades of commitment to delivering healthcare that is designed and controlled by the community,” Mr McPhee said.
“For 50 years, Congress has been at the forefront of Aboriginal community-controlled healthcare, and the evidence shows that approach is working.”
The opening of the Health Hub is accompanied by the launch of the Congress report Making History: Transforming Aboriginal health in Central Australia.
Mr McPhee said the report highlights the significant gains achieved through sustained investment in community control, including improvements in life expectancy and reductions in infant and premature mortality.
“These are not small gains — they reflect real change in people’s lives and demonstrate what Aboriginal community controlled health services can achieve,” he said.
“The success of Congress has wider implications for the Northern Territory and nationally. It shows that when communities design, control and deliver culturally safe services, we see better health outcomes, stronger engagement and more effective care.”
Mr McPhee said the new Health Hub supports Congress to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care, particularly for children and families, and creates opportunities for earlier intervention and long-term impact.
“Facilities like this are critical to ensuring community-controlled services like Congress can support growing and diverse communities across the NT,” he said.
Mr McPhee also acknowledged the leadership of AMSANT CEO Donna Ah Chee, who has played a significant role in Congress’ growth and impact over the past two decades.
“Donna has been instrumental in leading this work at Congress, helping to build one of the largest and most comprehensive community-controlled health services in the country,” he said.
“She brings that deep experience, knowledge and commitment to her role as AMSANT CEO, where she will continue to advocate for strengthening the transition to community control and improving outcomes for Aboriginal people across the Territory.”
Mr McPhee said that Aboriginal community controlled health services already have a strong record of success and the focus should be on ensuring the model is supported and extended across the NT, particularly in remote communities.
“We know what works. The priority now is to ensure all communities have access to the same level of culturally safe, community-controlled care and the infrastructure needed to deliver it,” he said.
AMSANT looks forward to continuing to work with member services and governments at all levels to strengthen Aboriginal community-controlled healthcare and improve outcomes for Aboriginal families and communities across the Northern Territory.
Media contact: Amy Price, 0437 027 156
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