| Meet the new Chief Advisor | | Print | |
 Api Talemaitoga Api was born in Fiji and graduated from Otago Medical School. He worked in Fiji for six years after graduating and returned to New Zealand 15 years ago to work in primary healthcare in Christchurch. Api said it was his experience as a member of the National Health Committee (NHC) that made him realise how effective policies could work much better in addressing the health inequalities of Pacific peoples. “The NHC prepares independent reports for the Minister (of Health) on priority health areas. One example, which I am very happy to have been associated with, was the NHC’s report on long-term conditions launched in 2007. The Report emphasised what the World Health Organisation (WHO) calls ‘The Challenge of the Century’ and shows how chronic or long-term conditions will have a huge impact on health services in New Zealand. This has important health workforce and funding implications for Maori and Pacific peoples who are over-represented among those with long-term conditions. “The report was presented to the Minister of Heath and as a result there is now a long-term conditions team within the Ministry and work has begun on a framework to make the whole health system more responsive to those with long-term conditions. “This is vitally important. Eighty percent of hospital admissions are due to chronic conditions, such as complications from diabetes or heart conditions. If we learn how to manage chronic conditions more effectively, it will have a huge positive impact on the health system.” At the same time as being Chief Adviser, Api works one day a week in general practice in Christchurch. “It’s very important for me to still be involved in general practice. It’s a grounding mechanism that keeps me in touch with the reality of health services as they impact on people. When I’m sitting here in meetings discussing various policies, it’s good for me to relate it back to how it will work for Mrs Turaga and her family.” Feedback on this story (0)
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