Two health-care programs dedicated to serving Black and African Nova Scotian patients are seeing a significant increase in demand, the legislature’s standing committee on health heard Tuesday.

The Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Nova Scotia Sisterhood programs serve communities in the province’s central health zone, but the initiatives have put forward a phased proposal that could eventually see an expansion around the province.

“I think community is generally happy with the access that we provide,” said Dr. Ron Milne, the physician lead of the Nova Scotia Brotherhood, which launched in 2015.

“A lot of our patients don’t have family doctors, so that’s a start right there.”

The barrier-free health programs provide culturally appropriate medical care to people with or without a family doctor, health and wellness education, pap tests, chronic disease management, mental health and addictions, and more. The programs are staffed by Black and African Nova Scotian health-care professionals and operated through the province’s health authority.

The committee heard Tuesday that both programs have seen a surge in demand.

Numbers from Nova Scotia Health showed 683 men have accessed primary care through the Brotherhood in 2025-26, compared to 196 men in 2022-23. The demand for mental health care jumped considerably, with 855 men seeking that service in 2025-26, compared to 64 in 2022-23.

The Sisterhood, which started taking appointments in 2023 and has a dedicated clinic on Wyse Road in Dartmouth, has already seen substantial growth.

There were 1,272 women who attended primary care appointments in 2025-26, compared to 42 when the program launched. The number of women seeking mental health care rose to 445 in 2025-26, up from 32.

“That in itself shows you that people are accessing it,” said Mahogany O’Keiffe, senior director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Accessibility with Nova Scotia Health, in an interview.

“Word of mouth is huge within community as well, so all of those pieces are why the program is successful.”

Province not specific on timeline

While Milne said the hope is “extending the idea of Brotherhood throughout the province,” the initial proposal would see two dedicated sites, one in Halifax’s North End and the other near the historic Black communities of Cherry Brook and East Preston.

“We have a plan for providers and also most importantly for having a community board to direct how the clinics are going to be run,” he said.

Milne, a family physician, is the only doctor with the Brotherhood, while the Sisterhood has two doctors and a nurse practitioner. He said he hopes to see younger doctors recruited so the programs can be sustainable.

Rod Francis, executive director of equity and engagement with the Department of Health and Wellness, did not give specifics on when the proposal might be approved or a timeline for expansion.

He confirmed a proposal was received earlier this year and the department has committed to meet with the groups by the end of this month.

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