The Nunatsiavut Government’s Department of Health and Social Development is responsible for the health and social development needs within NG.

It has seven program areas: 

• Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
• Mental Wellness and Healing Services
• Communicable Disease Control
• Home and Community Care
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Healthy Children and Youth
• Social Development

The Department of Health and Social Development has a mandate for provision of a defined range of health services. The provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and other government departments, also have mandates to provide many health services including specialized medical services, hospital and community clinic services and other tertiary health services. Health Canada and other health partners provide funding to supplement the provision of programs. The Department of Health and Social Development has collaborative partnerships and working relationships with these organizations in order to better address the health needs of Labrador’s Inuit population. It is also well recognized that the majority of health determinants fall outside of health systems. As a result, partnerships with other organizations, government bodies and community agencies are also fostered.

The Department of Health and Social Development is comprised of a Regional Office located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, as well as community offices in seven communities: North West River, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Rigolet, Postville, Makkovik, Hopedale, and Nain.  The regional and community teams work in cooperation to deliver the Department of Health and Social Development’s programs and services.

Mandate: To deliver community health programs and services as described in the tri-partner Fiscal Financing Agreement

Vision: Healthy individuals, families, and communities

Mission: Improve the health and social status of Labrador Inuit through community-based programs and services, advocacy, and collaboration

Values:

• Practicing and promoting Labrador Inuit culture and language
• Promoting the balance between rights and responsibilities
• Respecting yourself and others
• Client-centered approaches (where clients refer to the people we serve)
• Empowerment: Fostering independence, self-reliance, and self-worth
• Collaboration: Working together
• Accountability: Being answerable to clients and stakeholders in a clear manner
• Consultation: Sharing knowledge and exchanging information
• Leadership: Demonstrating and fostering positive role modeling
• Communication: Open sharing of information

AIM: The Department does not only help people who reach services, but reaches out to the whole population and all who need help.

The Regional Health Plan (2019-2024) guides the work of the department. The vision of DHSD forms the foundation for this plan. The key elements in the plan are organized around the following five priority areas: create health promotion messages to support priority areas, focus on problematic alcohol use, increase food security, address risk factors in childhood development and engage in active outreach to vulnerable populations.