Covid-19 Delta outbreak: Pacific medical experts concerned for community

Pasifika clinics and GPs in Auckland have been pushing local DHBs to allow them to run the vaccination rollout for their own communities, including pop-up and mobile clinics. While they have finally been given the green light, there is disappointment they could not start running before the Delta variant was in the community.

Marama T-Pole spoke to The Fono CEO Tevita Funaki and Auckland GP Dr Api Talemaitoga for this morning's talanoa.

[nifokoula]

The reason why Auck is slow is because most Pacific people are registered with practices under Procare not Southseas or the Fono. The PHO’s are businesses first and foremost who want to make money then hopefully provide a bit of healthcare. Lol

In Welly, there are hardly any Pacific Providers. Most are registered with Ora Toa and across Palangi GP’s. However, the DHB has worked well with churches and pop up vaccination centres have been put up at churches within Wellington City and Porirua - these have worked well.

Old Denzel there is wanting so called Pacific Providers to do the work … because they get more money. Tell the truth Rambuka - Lol

[Unifyyyyyyy]

I thought Dr Api Talemaitonga was Denzel Washington lol

[Timuia_ipaepaetele]

I always wandered what Dr Api Talaimaitonga looked like cos I hear him on the radio and he sounds feminine. I agree better for our people to administer the vaccines cos some of our older generation cannot speak English also it's more meaningful when it's your own people and that sign of respect. I wanted to go to the one at EFKS puaseisei today but I worked a full day so will see if I can go to the one in mangere.

[MaiNtive]

Kia Ora whanau - e noho haumaru i te whare ora ō mirumiru me te whakawhanaungatanga