The important role of carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds is at the heart of this year’s Multicultural Health Week, Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka today announced.

The theme of Multicultural Health Week 2016 is: Caring for Carers: Supporting people who look after someone. In 2015 there were over 2.8 million unpaid carers in Australia. Among them, 674,300 carers (25.7%) were born overseas.
 
“Carers look after loved ones in need, and in return, we need to look after them. Reaching carers from every background is vital to supporting their selfless work and recognising their contribution to society as a whole,” Mr Ajaka said.
 
Health Minister Jillian Skinner said Multicultural Health Week spreads the message to diverse communities about the important health services available to them.
 
“The NSW Government’s Carer Support Services continue to provide professional support for carers in the public health system by coming up with local strategies to meet their needs,” Mrs Skinner said.
 
To promote Multicultural Health Week 2016, a video which raise awareness about carers has been launched. The video of carers in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Macedonian and Vietnamese will be promoted through social media.
 
Since 2009, the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service has been funded by the NSW Government to coordinate Multicultural Health Week as a state-wide activity in partnership with the Multicultural Health Services in Local Health Districts.
 
This year, the Multicultural Health Communication Service has partnered with Carers NSW, Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA), Chinese Australian Services Society (CASS), and Carers Support Services.