Pacific Responses in Christchurch - Pacific Health Voices

Issue 7 | March 2011
Laulu Michael Chan, CEO of Pacific Trust Canterbury
I was overseas when I received a txt message on the afternoon of the 22nd of February from
friends and family, saying that there was another earthquake in Christchurch and that there was
the possibility of many lives lost. It was dreadful trying to get hold of managers and confirming
that our staff were safe.
My first day on the ground, Tuesday morning (a week after the devastation), our Practise
Manager and I went out to support the rest of the staff. I was thankful and relieved that everyone
of my staff members survived and that they were well. Unfortunately, a few of them lost their
homes and a couple of them have temporarily moved to Auckland. But they’re alive and that’s
what matters right now.
Our organisation assisted in makeshift clinics in Latimer square. All our medical resources were
taken as soon as it seemed safe enough to move out and help, so the team have been working
with minimum resources. Five members of our staff have been deployed to welfare centres in the
Aranui area and at the Pioneer Recreation & Sport Centre. They’ve been stationed there to assist
and support Pacific families in terms of housing and financial matters. However, I’ve received
word that very few Pacific people have accessed these welfare centres, so this is a big concern
for me. At the moment we’re looking at strategies of getting in touch with Pacific Community
Leaders to inform them of the help and support that is available to them.
What may be the case for Pacific families who aren’t receiving support, is that they are without
citizenship; being afraid to come forward and get the help that’s available to them. So I urge
health providers to be mindful of how we treat them. Their immigration status is not our
business – our business is to assist and provide healthcare services to those in need.
(Continue onto next page)
Pacific Responses in
Christchurch
Inside this issue
2 Update from PMA
student representative,
Lorna Williams
3 New dates for 2011 PMA
Conference in Fiji
4 New Year Honours List -
Pasifika Making Its Mark
5 Healthcare Heroes:
Health Science Academy
6 Students are our Future
Update
7 Links to Christchurch
Professional
Organisations Update
Vacancies
8 How to get a copy
of your very own
Navigators book
For the latest on PMA, go to our website www.pacifichealth.org.nz
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Some Pacific families don’t want to leave their homes due to possible looting and others won’t leave because they
have nowhere else to go. There are families who are struggling in unsafe conditions and so as a health service, we’re
hoping that we can eventually connect with them so that we can better support them.
Personnel from the Civil Defense informed us that it’ll probably be weeks or months before we even know how
safe and stable our building truly is, despite the fact that it didn’t collapse. It’s difficult for us because we now need
to look for a temporary location. So in the meantime we’re coordinating with the Pasifika Medical Association
around clinical and medical support.
The Pasifika Medical Association has been supporting Pacific Trust Canterbury by sourcing General Practitioners
and Practise Nurses as well as funding travel costs to Canterbury.
Michael Chan.
The Pasifika Medical Association would like to
express our deepest condolences to the families
and friends of those who are affected by the
Christchurch earthquake.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those of you
who are in Christchurch or who have loved ones there.
For information on how you can help, please refer to page 7
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Student Representative on the Board of PMA
Kia Orana and Warm greetings to
each and every one of you.
This year is a very exciting year for
me in many aspects. My godson,
August turns one in April, along
with my niece Silia. My nana will
be celebrating her 80th birthday in
July and this year I move from being
pre-clinical to a clinical student
in Medicine. This year sees me
embarking on the 4th year of my
medical degree. I am quietly nervous
about it all; being predominantly in
the hospitals throughout the year,
seeing patients on a day to day basis
and being away from friends and
family most of the time. It seems like
it will be a lonely time.
From the stories I’ve heard from
students in the years above me, the
year I am in and the years ahead
of me become one of the hardest
in med school. You become the
bottom of the pecking order now,
you easily blend into the walls of the
ward like decoration where no one
recognises you and you sometimes
wish you stayed in bed that day.
But I’ve also heard that it is these
years that you learn a lot, the years
that make you - eager for more and
when you constantly get to see, hear
and be amongst it all.
I’ve often wondered why I chose
this career path, why I wanted to
pursue medicine and often I sit there
thinking maybe today I’ll think of
doing something else but it is these
stories that make me anticipate each
year and what it will bring, that make
me eager and want to learn more.
Although the road to get to where I
am now hasn’t been as smooth as I
had hoped, each challenge that has
come up has been tackled as best as I
can. We can build on the past to make
the future better and this is what I
always try to do. I look forward to the
years before me and the challenges
that come with it. If someone had
told me years ago that the journey
through med school would have
been as exciting and challenging as
it is, I would have thought that they
were exaggerating.
I look forward to the many things
that will happen this year, hopefully I
will be prepared for them when they
come and if not it will become one
of the many - interesting challenges
I will face. Hopefully if someone asks
me in December how this year went
for me, I can say it was everything I
expected and more.
There is also exciting news on the
student front too. Although we
farewell Alistair Papali’i-Curtain as a
student rep from the board to start
his career as a doctor at Middlemore
Hospital. We thank him for his
excellent contribution to the board
and to the student body. We are sad
that he has gone but wish him the
very best in everything and are sure
that we will see him on the board
again in the future.
I end on this quote that I’ve
remembered for years – “The choices
we make, not the chances we take,
determine our destiny”. Although
we don’t always make the easiest
choices in life, sometimes the
challenges we face after making
those choices are what make us
better people and how we end up
learning far beyond what we think
we would. Like a wise man once said
and what my cousin Salesi told me –
it is not the years in your life, but the
life in your years. I wish you all the
very best for the remainder of 2011
and the years to come.
God Bless.
Kia Orana e Kia Manuia
We welcome two new students to
the board – Canaan Aumua (3rd year
MBCHB) who joins me as the other
student representative for Auckland
and Staverton Kautoke (6th year
MBCHB) who hails from Otago
University and is our Wellington
based student representative.
Mr Canaan Aumua
Mr Staverton Kautoke
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Call forAbstracts
PMA CONFERENCE 2011
Claiming Healthy Futures
IN
Nadi, Fiji
Save the NEW dates:
August 18th, 19th & 20th
The Pasifika Medical Association, in partnership
with the Fiji Medical Association and the
Fiji School of Medicine, announce its 14th annual
conference to be held in Nadi, Fiji over the 18th, 19th and
20th of August this year!
Clinical Themes:
CANCER
CHILD & MATERNAL HEALTH
www.pacifichealth.org.nz
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New Years Honours List 2011
Pasifika Making its Mark
Papaali’i Dr Semisi Ma’ia’i
QSO QSM MB ChB FRNZCGP
Hon. Luamanuvao Winifred
-Alexandra Laban QSO BSW PGDDS
Dr Joe Williams
QSO QSM MBChB MPH
Peseta Betty Sio QSO BSW
The 2011 New Zealand Honours list has recognised several
individuals from our Pacific community – we identify and
congratulate the following reciepents for their well deserved
acknowledgments. (The recipients profiled are all members of
PMA).
The NZ Order of Merit is awarded to those “who in any field of
endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and
the nation. Papaali’i Dr Semisi Ma’ia’i QSM MB ChB FRNZCGP, was
named Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM)
for his services to the Samoan Community.
Papaali’i has tirelessly served the community for the past 40
years and was the only Samoan General Practitioner working
in Auckland in the 1970s. He was born in Samoa and raised in
Savaii in the village of Sapapaali’i. He studied medicine at the
Fiji Medical School and Otago Medical School, graduating in
1962. Papaali’i worked in New Zealand and Samoa in the 1960s,
before becoming a GP in Kumeu, on the outskirts of Auckland, in
1970. Over the years he became aware of the language barrier
many Samoans faced visiting doctors, Semisi began translating
common medical terms into Samoan. After 40 years’ painstaking
work, he published the first ever bilingual Samoan/English
dictionary, Tusi’upu Samoa, last year.
Dr Ma’ia’i became a Fellow of the College of General Practitioners
in 1999 and retired from general practice in 2003. He was
awarded a PMA Service Award in 2002 and a QSM in 2003 for
public service.
The Queen’s Service Order is awarded to honour and recognise
individuals for voluntary public service to the community, as well
as services through elected and appointed office. Former Labour
MP Luamanuvao Winifred “Winnie” Alexandra Laban was also
awarded Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) for her
services as a Member of Parliament.
She graduated in Social Work from Victoria University and later
completed a post-graduate qualification in Development Studies.
In 1992 she was given the Samoan chiefly title of Luamanuvao,
from the village of Vaiala, Vaimauga, in recognition of her work.
During the 1990s she coordinated the South Pacific Consumer
Protection Programme working in 15 Pacific Island nations,
while completing a post-graduate qualification in Development
Studies.
In 1999 she entered Parliament and from 2002 to 2010, was a
Member of Parliament for Mana, serving as Minister of Pacific
Island Affairs, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector,
and Associate Minister of Social Development, Economic
Development, and Trade.
She resigned from Parliament in October 2010 to take the
new position of Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) at Victoria
University of Wellington.
Luamanuvao the first female Pacific MP for New Zealand and is
known for working extensively throughout the Pacific, regarded as
a champion of Pacific affairs.
Before entering politics she was a family therapist and community
development worker, focusing particularly on the Pacific Island
community of New Zealand.
Luamanuvao has been a long standing supporter and previous
patron of PMA.
Former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Dr Joe Williams QSM,
MBChB, MPH received the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) for his
services to the Cook Islands community.
Dr Joe Williams has filled many high-profile roles in the realms of
politics and medicine. He was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
in 1999, and Cabinet Minister with responsibilities for Health,
Education, Transport, Tourism and State-owned Enterprises. In an
illustrious medical career, he has been a Medical Superintendant,
Director of Health, WHO Executive Board Member, Chairman of
AuckPac PHO and dedicated general practitioner. His work as a
pioneer medical researcher has been the highlight of his career
and earned him regional and global recognition.
Currently he is a General Practitioner and Medical Director at the
Mt Wellington Accident and Family Healthcare Centre in Auckland.
His more recent research efforts have focused on eczema in Pacific
children, obesity in the Pacific community and prostate cancer
in Pacific men. In 2004, Dr Williams received a Pasifika Medical
Association Award for his contribution to Pacific health.
Ms Betty Sio is another proud recipient of the Queen’s Service
Order for her services to the Pacific Community. She has been
serving her Pacific community vigorously for over 20 years as an
advocate for Pacific women and their families against violence and
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- sexual abuse. Betty has always been passionate about working with Pacific families and communities and eliminating
family violence. She works with Pacific and mainstream agencies specialising in counselling, working with victims of
violence, and designing, implementing and reviewing programmes to reduce family violence.
In 1995 Betty established the Pacific Islands Safety and Prevention Project Incorporated (aka The Project) in Massey,
Auckland. Her organisation works with Pacific families whom have experienced family violence, including physical,
emotional and sexual. Betty also works in the area of injury prevention.
Alongside her vast grass-roots experience, Betty holds a Bachelor of Social Work and has also had a long standing
relationship with PMA.
Health Science Academy
Launch
Excited fifth form Health Science Academy students of 2011, The Hon Deputy Prime
Minister Bill English and Health Science Academy teacher Miss Toloa
DEVELOPING HEALTHCARE HEROES
On the 11th of February, the Hon Bill English, Deputy
Prime Minister, honoured PMA by formally launching what
he believes to be, ‘a new and promising Health Science
Academy at Otahuhu College’.
“The Health Science Academy is a joint venture between
Otahuhu College and the Pasifika Medical Association. It is
designed to prepare Pacific students to successfully enter a
health science degree and career into the health sector” –
Debbie Sorensen, CEO, Pasifika Medical Association.
Otahuhu College has the largest Pacific population of
students at a decile one level, and will be proudly sponsored
by the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA).
“Otahuhu College has been working hard over the past two
years and has increased the number of students taking
science. Its improving its academic science results each
year” – Gil Laurenson, Principal, Otahuhu College.
The Academy will support a small cohort of 25 year 11
students in an academically intensive science curriculum
with the intention of ensuring these students have the best
opportunity to pursue a health career.
Benefits of the academy is that each student will have
access to holiday work experience, a career shadowing
programme, a student health conference and certification
in First Aid and CPR. This will be available with the help of
health programmes such as Healthcare Heroes, delivered
by PMA.
Funded by the Ministry of Health Pacific Provider &
Workforce Development Fund, PMA have worked with
21 secondary schools and have seen over 100 students
successfully complete First Aid and CPR training last year.
The launch of the Health Science Academy is the first in
New Zealand and provides a real opportunity to recognise
the potential of young Pacific achievers.
The launch was attended by senior Pacific Leaders and
Parents of the Health Science Academy students.
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ALSO. . .
HEALTHCARE HEROES
WORK EXPERIENCE
Through the help of various Auckland Health providers, Healthcare Heroes has been able to secure work experience
opportunities for Pasifika Year 13 school leavers for 2011. This initiative is part of the Healthcare Heroes programme which has
been established in 19 secondary schools throughout Auckland. Some students are selected for two week work experience
opportunities or to shadow a health professional for a day.
In the January school holidays, seven students from Auckland Girls Grammar, Tangaroa College, Tamaki College, Marcellin and
James Cook High schools participated and were placed at various health providers. These included Faleola, South Seas Clinic,
Middlemore Hospital, Otara Physiotherapy and in our own office at PMA.
We look forward to these having such opportunities continue for our students and that providers will support this initiative
through providing more work experience for Pasifika year 13 students in the coming school holidays.
One student said of her experience, ”I have really enjoyed this unique opportunity. It was almost like it wasn’t just work
experience, but like I was part of the staff. I loved it.”
We believe these opportunities are a way of re-connecting schools to its community and in turn the communities to its
schools. It creates for schools, students and their families, an awareness of Pasifika health clinics, health professionals and
providers who are supportive in providing these opportunities for students. It also shows that we, PMA, are a key link in this
process and hopefully gain more support and drive for this initiative.
If you are a Health Provider and are interested in participating in this programme, contact -
Clint@pacifichealth.org.nz
The Students Are Our Future team recently held a mentoring workshop in Wellington
for the mentors & mentees on the 3rd February 2011.
It was a real success with students meeting their mentors and receiving training on
models of cultural mentoring from Professor Sitaleki Finau: Director of Pasifika at Massey University and Dr Cherie Chu
Senior Lecturer & Co-Director: Institute for Research and Development in Pacific Education Victoria University.
Both Professor Finau & Dr Chu previously presented to the Auckland Mentors on the 22nd of September 2010.
In addition we were priviliged to have guest speaker Professor Keith Walker from The University of Saskatchewan, Canada
also present and give tips on Mentoring as well.
In conjunction with Leadership Pacific the “Students Are Our Future” team recently received professional development
from Professor Walker and Professor Edwin Ralph also from The University of Saskatchewan who co-designed the
Adaptive Mentorship Model
By providing our Mentors with the best possible support, advice and training. we are confident 2011 will see more
effective mentoring taking place.
If you are interested in beoming a mentor, visit www.pacifichealth.org.nz or contact Luke@pacifichealth.org.nz
Upcoming events in March include:
•13th Pasifika Festival - Auckland
•18th & 19th ASB Polyfest with Massey University - Auckland
•23rd Massey University Pasifika Health Students Workshop -Palmerston
North
• 24th Otago University Foundation Year Tour - Dunedin
Training for NEW mentors:
• Semester two (For more information, contact Luke@pacifichealth.org.nz)
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Christchurch
For updates on the latest in and around Christchurch please go to the
following links:
• http://eq.org.nz/main
• http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
For information on how to help and make a donation, go to the following
ASB website:
• https://www.asb.co.nz/story21606.aspx
UPDATE
Professional Organisations
The Pasifika Medical Association has signed a contract with the Ministry of Health
to develop management services to bring all Pacific Professional Organisations
together.
A meeting for Professional Organisations will be held on Monday 4th April at
1.30pm at the Pasifika Medical Association offices;
Level 1, 733 Great South Road, Otahuhu
(Pacific Business Trust Building)
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This inspiring book tells the stories of 26 Pacific health
pioneers – statesmen, surgeons, doctors, nurses, researchers
and policymakers.
Against the odds, these modern day ‘navigators’ have led the
way in improving health services for Pacific peoples.
These are stories of sacrifice and commitment, resourcefulness
and imagination. They summon the voyager in all of us.
Get your copy of NAVIGATORS today
To purchase a copy of Navigators, call 09 250 5761 or email pma@pacifichealth.org.nz
List of Staff
Chief Executive
Debbie Sorensen
debbie@pacifichealth.org.nz
Office Manager
Ana Ngatokoiva
ana@pacificheath.org.nz
Accounts Manager
Tina Bayly
tina@pacifichealth.org.nz
Project Director
Gilli Sinclair
gilli@pacifichealth.org.nz
Workforce Programme Director
Luke Fleming
luke@pacifichealth.org.nz
Community Liaison
‘Eseta Finau
eseta@pacifichealth.org.nz
Evaluations Manager
Seini Jensen
seini@pacifichealth.org.nz
Communications & Events Manager
Natasha Greer
natasha@pacifichealth.org.nz
Communications Officer
Melissa Fidow
melissa@pacifichealth.org.nz
Workforce Programme Liaison
Clint Vilitau
clint@pacifichealth.org.nz
Workforce Programme Liaison
Donny Tonumaipe’a
donny@pacifichealth.org.nz
www.pacifichealth.org.nz
PO Box 23061, Hunters Cnr, Manukau 2155
Level 1, 733 Great South Road, Otahuhu 1062,
Auckland, New Zealand
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