How the Indigenous community is being protected against COVID-19 will be one of the topics up for discussion at an upcoming Charles Sturt University forum.
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Orange Aboriginal Medical Service chief executive officer Jamie Newman will feature on the forum's panel which Stan Grant Junior will host.
The public forum is designed to raise awareness of the issues impacting Indigenous communities during the pandemic.
It will also highlight the obstacles that have led to inequitable access to testing and vaccinations.
Mr Grant is Charles Sturt University's chair of Australian-Indigenous belonging. He will lead the question and answer panel alongside Professor Juanita Sherwood, Mr Newman, registered nurse and midwife Donna Hartz and the general manager of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing for Western NSW Primary Health Network Nikki Trudgett.
Professor Grant said First Nations people were in a "race against time".
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"The Delta strain is threatening our communities; communities which are already among the most vulnerable and exposed," Professor Grant said.
"Information is crucial, getting people vaccinated is critical, and Charles Sturt University can help at this vital point in time.
"The forum will draw on Charles Sturt University's expertise and its deep community contacts to open up a dialogue, help build some trust and make sure our people get the information they need."
Currently, about 30 per cent of Indigenous Australians aged 16 and over have had one vaccination and 16 per cent are fully vaccinated, which lags behind the national average.
COVID: Our Lives Matter will be held online from 10.30am to 11.30am on Thursday, August 26.
More information is available here.
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