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By rdnewsNOW Staff

SEVEN LANGUAGES OFFERED

AHS pilots language menu to improve health care access

Apr 19, 2025 | 9:00 AM

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is launching a pilot program in Red Deer, an Inbound Call Interpreter service meant to improve access to medical services for newcomers to Canada.

Launched in March at the Johnstone Crossing Community Health Centre, the service enables patients and clients calling in to choose from a pre-recorded menu of seven different languages, which will connect them to a medical interpreter.

The language menu features Arabic, Ukrainian, Tigrinya, Tagalog, Spanish, French and English options.

“When we reviewed our programs and services, we identified some individuals called in to our switchboard but didn’t choose an option or leave a message because they didn’t have a level of comfort with English,” says Kandice Wilson, public health director for AHS Central Zone. “We turned to AHS’ Interpretation and Translation Services to find a way to decrease those barriers between critical health services and our clients whose first language is not English. The ultimate aim is better health outcomes.”

Clients can call the community health centre at 403-356-6300; some of the services it offers include newborn care, postpartum care, immunizations and nutrition.

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“Though AHS has used interpreters for many years, this service is a first for the organization and fills a specific need to help clients navigate in a way that’s most helpful for them,” Kayathiri Ganeshamoorthy, Provincial Program Lead, AHS Interpretation and Translation Services, comments.

They add, “In addition to our country’s official languages, we are offering interpretation services in the languages most spoken in the region. We hope this increases access to critical services, and makes health and wellness more equitable for all families.”

AHS intends to pilot the service for a year and then evaluate it.