A new $1 million one-off fund aimed at Māori communities will help increase awareness and reducing rheumatic fever says Health Minsiter Jonathan Coleman.
The minister says the money will be set aside for high-risk Māori communities in six District Health Boards including Bay of Plenty, Lakes DHB and Waikato.
'Rheumatic fever is a serious but preventable disease. Children and young people from Māori and Pacific communities are the most vulnerable,” says Jonathan in a media release.
'These DHBs will distribute funding to Māori community groups for small-scale initiatives to test innovative solutions for increasing awareness and helping to prevent rheumatic fever.
He says community groups are expected to start delivering initiatives from July through to October.
'The Rheumatic Fever Māori Community Fund helps the sector and communities to work together. It also support DHBs in their efforts to address rheumatic fever.
'Nationally, we're making good progress towards the target of reducing rheumatic fever rates by two-thirds by the end of June 2017. This shows the $65 million investment the Government's made to prevent rheumatic fever is making a real difference. However, we need to continue to do more.”
Latest figures show a 45 per cent rheumatic fever reduction from 2012 to 2015. This includes a 54 per cent reduction in cases among Māori.
There has also been a drop of 27 per cent for Pacific people. A one-off rheumatic fever Pacific Community Fund was implemented in 2014/15.
10 comments
health
Posted on 10-07-2016 08:41 | By dumbkof2
what about a million dollar health fund for pakeha or would that be racist
It's really disturbing...
Posted on 10-07-2016 11:00 | By groutby
.that almost anything mentioned re. health, welfare, crime, well you name it, that is considered "High Risk"..almost always has "Maori" in the same sentence. How do we recognise, and fix this?..we know there are few if any Maori leaders out there with the desire to make a stand on these issues..but I can't help thinking that as long as we keep throwing money at these issues it will be taken eagerly until we read about the next "Maori are at High Risk" issue. That for some may well sound racist (as it is giving taxpayers money to one group only), but are there any tangible solutions forthcoming?
Keeping
Posted on 10-07-2016 12:43 | By Merlin
Keeping the Maori party happy to get their support at the next election?There are high risk Pakeha as well.Should be one non ethnic fund for these high risk health problems
what about us?
Posted on 10-07-2016 13:11 | By Captain Sensible
What about the rest of the 85% of us? Are we branded as second class kiwis?This is race based favouritism and it's offensive.
Ask and you shall receive!!
Posted on 10-07-2016 15:52 | By Mackka
As much as I hate this obvious racism - I don't blame (resent, yes!)Maori for holding out the hand at every opportunity! As long as the government keep pandering to their demands why wouldn't they keep the hand out? It's a 'no brainer'! It is all politics - National has it's head in the clouds in not recognising the fact that the 85% of us non-Maori are fed up to the back teeth with what is going on!!
Captain Sensible...
Posted on 10-07-2016 18:23 | By groutby
....for a long time now I have not thought that the "divide" (if indeed that is what it may be called) is as simple as a 85/15 % "split",..far more relate to Maoridom (when convenient) and increase the divide somewhat more, often depending on personal circumstance..but then, how can we get accurate detail when a government is indeed intent on securing the Maori Party vote anyway it can? You probably find it offensive for the same reason as (probably) the majority of voting public do, and I agree, but once again, the "seat warmers" in Wellington are manipulating stuff to make us believe a particular agenda, we as intelligent public need to see through the smokescreen.I do not personally support this aspect of "electioneering"..it will continue.
its not race based
Posted on 10-07-2016 19:56 | By redlindyloo
if you read the article properly. Yes $1mill is being set aside for reducing this disease amongst Maori but that doesn't mean if you're non-maori you don't get treated!!! Hard facts are Maori are most likely to get rheumatic fever, hardly any europeans get it. By putting money into prevention, you're saving money on treatment. I'm guessing all those commenting have no idea of the impact of rheumatic fever. Treatment goes on until you're over 20 and includes antibiotics, dental and specialist care, and that's once you've left hospital. For all of you only looking at the bottom line, $1mill for prevention is MUCH cheaper than the ongoing cost of treating this illness
The Way
Posted on 10-07-2016 20:06 | By Merlin
The way this Government hangs on to it's support partners is starting to get up my craw.Telling Epsom voters not to support their candidate so Act can win, handing special health treatment to a support partner.More voters I believe voted for other parties last election so where is democracy.
Maori health
Posted on 11-07-2016 15:48 | By surfsup
Lets hope the steps that are put in place work, nobody in this day and age should be suffering in this country regardless of race .
redlindyloo....
Posted on 11-07-2016 23:16 | By groutby
..indeed yes you are correct, as a person clearly in the system you see the reality of the situation. However the reality for those with the privilege of funding such occurrences, I am sure it will be advantageous to find out why, once again, Maori are at the forefront of this illness in New Zealand, address it and reduce it to the extent of minimal management only. So, with the financial input, when do we see tangible results?..
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