Mobile health clinic to serve Alberta Metis settlements
Fri, 2nd Oct 2026 (Today)
Primary Care Alberta and its partners are launching the Wâhkôhtowin Mobile Health Clinic for the Kikino and Buffalo Lake Metis Settlements in northeast Alberta. The service will visit the two communities two days a week.
The clinic will provide non-emergency primary healthcare services in and around the neighbouring Metis Settlements, focusing on bringing care closer to residents who would otherwise need to travel to urban centres. It was developed through a partnership between Primary Care Alberta, the Metis Settlements General Council, TELUS Health for Good and the Alberta government.
Services will include routine health check-ups, assessment and treatment of common health concerns, chronic disease management and care planning, and health screening, prevention and wellness support.
The healthcare team will also work with Settlement leadership, community members and local health partners to connect patients with other services when needs go beyond what the mobile clinic can provide.
The initiative is intended to improve access to culturally grounded care in communities where distance can limit regular access to primary care. Partners said the clinic was shaped by priorities identified by the communities themselves.
Justin Wright, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, said the service was designed around local needs.
"Bringing primary care directly to Kikino and Buffalo Lake will make it easier for residents to get the care and support they need, closer to home. This mobile clinic reflects what can be accomplished when governments, health partners and communities work together to develop services around local needs and priorities," said Wright.
The Metis Settlements General Council said the clinic addresses a long-standing need for more direct access to basic healthcare services for Settlement members.
"Meeting the complex health and wellness needs of our members in creative and efficient ways is a key goal of our eight Metis Settlements. Providing basic healthcare is a cornerstone of ensuring safe and healthy communities for our members. On behalf of the thousands of Settlement members that MSGC represents, I want to congratulate the partners and Settlement leaders who made the Wâhkôhtowin Mobile Health Clinic a reality. Kinanâskomitinawaw!" said Dave Lamouche, President, Metis Settlements General Council.
Partner backing
TELUS Health for Good said the clinic extends its mobile health programme to two additional communities. The company has committed USD $20 million through 2028 to the broader initiative, which has supported more than 420,000 patient visits across 29 Canadian communities since the programme began in 2014.
According to TELUS, its mobile clinics use the company's electronic medical records software and mobility network as part of service delivery.
"At TELUS, we believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and we're using our technology and the compassion of our teams to bring that belief to life. The Wâhkôhtowin Mobile Health Clinic powered by TELUS Health reflects what's possible when a mobile clinic is built around a community's own priorities - with care that's not just accessible, but culturally grounded. Backed by our $20 million commitment through 2028, this clinic extends the reach of our Health for Good programme to two more communities that deserve care close to home. We're helping build a healthier future for the people of Kikino and Buffalo Lake," said Patrick Barron, Vice-President, Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability, TELUS.
For Primary Care Alberta, the clinic is also part of a wider effort to expand access to front-line health services across the province through a mix of direct provision, public health teams and Health Link 811.
"Improving access to primary care starts with understanding and responding to the needs of the communities we serve. The Wâhkôhtowin Mobile Health Clinic is an exciting example of how strong partnerships can bring primary care closer to home and strengthen connections to the health services people need," said Kim Simmonds, Chief Executive Officer, Primary Care Alberta.