Nearly 400 people from throughout the Pacific health sector gathered in Auckland recently for the second Pacific health providers fono - Akirata: Achieving Excellence in the Pacific Health Sector.
Akirata was opened by Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. She said the fono’s significance “is that it acknowledges that New Zealand is a Pacific nation. It also celebrates the importance of Pacific providers and mainstream services that delivers services to meet the needs of Pacific people.”
Facilitating the proceedings with great flair was Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira.
Overseas guests included Dr Temu Waqanivalu from the World Health Organisation and Mrs Neti Herman, the chief nursing officer and Dr Roro Daniel, the Secretary of Health from the Cook Islands Ministry of Health.
Dr Waqanivalu commented: “This is the first fono I’ve attended. I didn’t realise there was such a focus on Pacific people and their health in New Zealand. I think it’s a really excellent initiative and I hope it continues.”
The fono also saw the launch of several significant initiatives.
Le Va –Pasifika in Mental Health aims to improve services to Pacific mental health consumers by establishing a new Pacific mental health and addiction workforce development unit within Te Pou, New Zealand's National Centre of Mental Health Research, Information and Workforce Development.
The Pacific Islands Family Study launched a publication containing the first results of an ongoing project tracking the health of 1,000 Pacific children. ‘Our Pacific Families, Our Children in New Zealand’ contained the key findings from the past seven years of study.
The Ministry of Health also launched a suite of new policy publications as part of the Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan review. The aim is to build a comprehensive new evidence base for planning and decision-making in the Pacific health sector.
Speaking at the fono the Ministry’s Director General of Health, Stephen McKernan told participants, “Pacific peoples have strong networks, you have the ability to transfuse and share learning and knowledge across Pacific communities. I know there are many fantastic Pacific health initiatives going on out there and I would like share those learnings.”
Breakout sessions focused on coordinating and strengthening work across the Pacific, workforce development and future directions for health services.
The fono’s name Akirata (a Cook Island Maori word meaning ‘new dawn’) and its traditional ocean star compass imagery were chosen to symbolise the journey of Pacific health providers to improve the health and wellbeing of Pacific people.
Dr Debbie Ryan, chief advisor Pacific Health at the Ministry, said Akirata was about ‘unity, connection and providing those within the sector with an opportunity to have a voice in its future development.’
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