First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch supports the delivery of public health and health promotion services on-reserve and in Inuit communities. It also provides drug, dental and ancillary health services to First Nations and Inuit people regardless of residence. The Branch also provides primary care services on-reserve in remote and isolated areas, where there are no provincial services readily available.

Read about our:

• Roles and Responsibilities;
• Mandate, Plans and Priorities;
• Programs and Services (Program Compendium);
• History of providing health services; and the
• 1979 Indian Health Policy.

Offices and Directorates

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch regional offices are located in every province, except in the Atlantic provinces, which are represented by the Atlantic Region. The Northern Secretariat, located in Ottawa, includes the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and the Nunavut Territories.

In May 2002, FNIHB underwent a realignment in order to:

• improve its program and service delivery;
• strengthen capacity in policy development, data collection and analysis;
• increase capacity to manage expanded programs and respond to emerging health issues;
• enhance Branch orientation toward public health and primary health services;
• strengthen professional standards;
• increase capacity to partner within Health Canada, as well as with other federal departments, aboriginal organizations, and other levels of government; and
• improve Branch ability to manage health renewal and sustainability.

The programs of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch are carried out by the following directorates and offices:

• Business Planning and Management Directorate
• Community Programs Directorate
• Non-Insured Health Benefits Directorate
• Office of Community Medicine
• Office of Nursing Services
• Office of the Chief Dental Officer
• Primary Health Care and Public Health Directorate
• Strategic Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate

For further information, please contact the Assistant Deputy Minister's Office.