The federal government and Northwest Territories have renewed a seven-year, $51.2 million health-care agreement aimed at improving access to primary care, strengthening the health workforce and expanding mental health and substance-use services across the territory.

The renewed Working Together bilateral agreement includes a four-year action plan focused on integrated primary-care teams, physician training, recruitment and retention, cultural-safety training, and community-based mental wellness and suicide-prevention programs.

The governments are also investing more than $93 million in health infrastructure, including up to $70.2 million from Ottawa and $23.4 million from the Northwest Territories. The funding will support 16 projects in 12 communities, including construction or rehabilitation of health and social-service facilities.

Officials say the agreement is intended to improve access to care closer to home, particularly in remote and northern communities where health-service delivery faces unique challenges.

The announcement marks the first renewed seven-year health agreement in a series Ottawa is negotiating with provinces and territories, as the federal government continues implementing its broader health-care funding plan.