Otessa Tuisila, Alex Aranga-Vole, Ashley Bloomfield ( Hutt Valley DHB CEO) Nitika Naidu and Tofa Suafole Gush (Director of Pacific Health).
Three Pacific students have been awarded the Pacific Oral Health Scholarship and are getting ready to make a positive difference in the community as they continue their studies, thanks to the Hutt Valley District Health Board and the Ministry of Health.
Nitika Naidu, Alex Aranga - Vole and Otessa Tuisila will be continuing their studies towards a Bachelor of Oral Health at the University of Otago this year and in a few years will be making an invaluable contribution to Pacific communities in the Wellington region.
“In 2015 the Ministry of Health agreed to funding for three students to have their University of Otago Bachelor of Oral Health fees paid for by a scholarship administered by Hutt Valley DHB,” explains Director of Pacific Health, Tofa Suafole Gush.
“The Pacific team engaged with the community across the sub-region and sought applicants. Following an interview process one scholarship was awarded in 2016 and a further two scholarships were awarded this year.”
The scholarships offer funding for study and include career mentoring for graduates who have completed study successfully. Graduates are offered a fixed-term position with a Wellington region DHB Community Oral Health Service and will be instrumental in assisting Pacific children.
“There are significant oral health inequalities for Pacific children in the sub-region, with operations for teeth extractions due to decay being a big contributor to hospital admissions for children under five years old,” explains Tofa.
“However, there are few Pacific dental therapists in New Zealand and none in the sub-regional service. “
Once they have completed their studies the three scholarship recipients will be working at the Wairarapa, Hutt Valley or DHB’s Capital & Coast Community Oral Health services.
