Health workshops address BOP’s Pacific community

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29 2009

Health workshops address unique challenges for BOP’s Pacific Island community

The first of two health promotional workshops was held yesterday focusing on health needs unique to the Pacific Island community in the Bay of Plenty.

The one-day workshops – the next to be held this Saturday May 2 – are being coordinated and run jointly by the Pacific Island Community Trust and the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation as part of the recent launch of the Pacific Advisory Group.

Western Bay of Plenty PHO chief executive Roger Taylor says the workshops aim to provide tools to equip and upskill Pacific Island community leaders and are open to anyone working with Pacific people.

“Pacific people generally have poorer health outcomes than the average New Zealander and most of them wait until they are very sick before seeking treatment,” he says.

“We have around 3700 Pacific people living in the Bay of Plenty, with some yet to enroll with a Primary Health Organisation. Our health professionals need to understand their vulnerability to certain health issues as well as primary health care barriers they face. Pacific Islanders need to be more effectively engaged in primary care."

Taylor says the PHO is working with the Pacific Island Community Trust to assist them in developing capability to deliver services and care for Pacific people directly.

Pacific Island Community Trust chief executive Mike Tyrer says Ministry of Health representative John Natua, who is portfolio manager of public health operations, and the Tongan Health Society addressed Bay of Plenty health professionals and community leaders.

“The speakers are leaders in bringing primary health care to the forefront of the Pacific Island community in South Auckland, which is known to have a high level of diabetic sufferers.

“They shared information about why Pacific people are particularly vulnerable to diabetes. They also gave an understanding of immunisation issues including Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the reasons why Pacific Island people usually wait until they are very sick before seeking medical attention,” says Tyrer.

Local speakers commenting on the Bay of Plenty’s Pacific community health issues and statistics included Bay of Plenty DHB’s Brian Pointon who is responsible for planning and funding of Pacific health services, Rosa Rakoia, chair of the Pacific Island Community Trust, and Fifita McCready from the Langimalie Diabetes Clinic in Auckland.

Research results presented at the workshops show many of the Bay’s Pacific people do not access primary health care services such as GPs, nurses, podiatrists or chiropractors.

Roger Taylor says the workshops are a step toward removing barriers to primary care for Pacific people by ensuring health professionals grasp their unique culture.

“The workshops are designed to equip the Pacific Island communities with the tools to help them understand what health services are available to them,” he says.

The next workshop is Saturday May 2 with plenty of spaces available. It will be held at the offices of Western Bay of Plenty PHO, 11th Ave, from 9am till 4pm.

ENDS

Key facts about the Bay of Plenty Pacific Island community:
• 45 percent of Pacific people are aged under 15 reflecting the youthful profile of the community
• 1600 Pacific people are enrolled with the Western Bay of Plenty PHO
• 33 percent of Pacific people in the region were born in the Pacific and therefore are migrants

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