The beating of Pacific drums has been heard with the launch of the new Pacific Health Action Plan.
The plan, eight months in the making, takes an overview of the health of Pacificpeople in the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa and lays out pathways to improve the health of the Pacific community.
“We want Pacific families to live longer and have healthier lives and the launch of this plan is an exciting step towards achieving this goal,” says Director of Pacific Health for Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs, Tofa Suafole Gush.
Mrs Gush says there are approximately 12,000 Pacific people in the Hutt Valley and just over one thousand in Wairarapa. The Pacific population in both areas is younger than the rest of the population and is projected to increase by 10% over the next five years.
“Pacific people tend to experience higher levels of deprivation and the impact of poverty, poor quality housing and overcrowding on health can be significant.”
Mrs Gush says there are several particular concerns for Pacific people that the plan will address including improving immunisation and dental enrolment rates for children and young people, promoting healthy lifestyles, building the Pacific workforce and increasing appropriate services for adolescent and elderly Pacific people.
The plan underwent a thorough consultation process across both districts. “We have worked hard to make sure the voices of the communities have been heard about the health of our people and what we can do to address health issues,” says Mrs Gush.
Vaolele and Teni Meavale (pictured above) have seven children and moved to the Hutt Valley from Samoa three years ago.
Mrs Meavale says it was difficult to find a house large enough and the family share three bedrooms; the two youngest children share their parents’ room and the eldest son sleeps in the lounge.
Mrs Meavale feels her children keep good health and says they don’t get sick very often. “I always take them to a doctor and I encourage people to take health concerns seriously, especially with children.”
She says the biggest health scare with her children was when eldest son, Annatto, was diagnosed with a heart condition. “Our local Congregational Christian Church was a huge support at this time.”
Mrs Meavale says she has found the standard of living in New Zealand not greatly different to Samoa. The biggest difference has been extra costs from heating and rent. “We didn’t pay rent in Samoa as nearly everyone owns their land and home. My husband earns more here than he could in Samoa but we have to budget carefully.”
