A dedicated group of volunteers is stepping up to address the growing need for improved access to health care in Martensville and the surrounding area. Formed in fall 2023, the non-profit group, Martensville & Area Healthcare Advocacy Initiative (MAHAI) is focused on supporting the recruitment and retention of local health professionals.
Led by residents who live, work, and raise their families in the area, the initiative is designed to highlight what the area has to offer while advocating for better access to services like family physicians, urgent care, walk-in clinics, diagnostic imaging, and more.
The group’s main goals include items such as; identifying gaps in local health services, creating opportunities to welcome and retain new physicians, engaging residents in dialogue and advocacy, celebrating the great work of existing healthcare providers and promoting Martensville as a vibrant, supportive place to live and work.
“Currently, the goal of the Martensville & Area Healthcare Advocacy Initiative, is to create the opportunity for community awareness, as well as to offer support for incoming healthcare providers. We want to be able to showcase the community and what is offered, as well as identify gaps in care that need filling and supporting. The ultimate goal is to have robust health care options within our community,” Haylie MacIntosh with MAHAI explained.
To support this work, the initiative has launched a Facebook page to connect with the community, gather feedback, and share updates, which can be found at ‘Martensville & Area Healthcare Advocacy Initiative’.
As part of their outreach efforts, the group is organizing the first-ever Community Health Fair, happening Saturday, May 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Martensville Civic Centre in the green space and adjacent parking lot. Inspired by a similar event in Kamsack, the fair aims to feature 10 to 12 different services in its first year, with future plans to potentially partner with other community events.
“We are hoping that this event will be able to showcase for our community, and local businesses, what we have available for local health options as well as provide an opportunity for our local businesses to share with the community what they are able to do for them. This will include a few provincial health services located in Saskatoon,” Tina Willick, of the MAHAI said.
This event will showcase a range of health-related services available locally and from Saskatoon. Attendees can expect booths and information from; local family health clinics, mental health and wellness providers, public health programs, community service organizations, as well as local businesses offering health-related products and services. A full list of vendors will be provided soon.
The initiative will be looking for new members in the near future to help the Community Health Fair become an annual event and continue to grow each year.
For more information about the Martensville & Area Healthcare Advocacy Initiative, follow them on Facebook and be sure to mark your calendars for May 31st.
