Schools, gymnasiums and higher educations
There is a total of 28 primary schools in Avannaata Kommunia. Schools in the towns have 1st to 10th grade, while the smaller schools in the settlements range from 1st to 7th grade. The primary challenges in primary school are low student numbers in rural schools and an urgent need for renovation.
North Greenland Gymnasium or GUX Aasiaat is Greenland's northernmost gymnasium and thus also one of the world's northernmost secondary schools, that also serves students from Avannaata Kommunia. The school is located in Aasiaat, but the students come from all over Northgreenland and the hinterland stretches 1150 kilometers, from Kangaatsiaq in the south to Qaanaaq in the north, and therefore almost all the approximately 400 students live at one of the school colleges around the city. Annually, approx. 90 students from all North Greenland graduate from the school.
Each of the 4 towns in Avannaata Kommunia has a local Piareersarfik, which offers a 1-year FA school stay for upgrading / preparation as a Greenland's only fishing and hunting school is located in Uummannaq. Here a 2 year training in fishing and fishing is offered. In addition, Greenland's Social Pedagogical Seminary is located in Ilulissat, which educates social educators and social workers
The town plan will ensure the required areas for, e.g., extension and improvement of the facilities of the municipal schools and educational institutions. While the eight towns of Avannaata Kommunia will continue to be consolidated as centres for education, the future planning period will primarily focus on rehabilitation and small-scale extensions of the existing schools and educational institutions. It is estimated that the relevant subareas of the town plan have the required capacity.
Health care
Avannaata Kommunia belongs to the Health Region 'Avannaa', which was established by implementing the health reform in January 2011. In each region there is a regional hospital which has overall responsibility for health services in the region, including at the associated hospitals and health centers and in the smaller nursing homes. The municipality's regional hospital is located in Ilulissat, while the other 3 towns have a health centre, cf. the main structure map.
The health region also includes dental care, which is covered with one or more dentists. However, in Qaanaaq only has dentistry services part of the year.
With the health-care reform of 2011, telemedicine was introduced to the citizens of more remotely located settlements. Experience with the use of telemedicine varies, but with the employment of a telemedicine consultant in 2013 it was decided to continue and further develop the health-care offer to correctly diagnose illnesses and start treatment more quickly and easily.
The future health-care work builds on the current regional structure, with health-care services being present and accessible throughout the country, and the digitising in progress continuing. A particular focus will be on preventive measures and health promotion in light of the future higher expenses due to more senior citizens, more lifestyle diseases, more costly and specialised treatments as well as higher demands for quality and citizen contact – all to the benefit of the citizens of Avannaata Kommunia.
