October 15, 2013
More tamariki to be swabbed
The National Hauora Coalition is expanding its Mana Kidz rheumatic fever programme to more South Auckland schools.
Clinical leader Tracy McKee says limited Health Ministry Funding means the swabbing programme was initially confined to 53 schools in Otara, Mangere and Manurewa when it launched last year.
Extra funds from the ministry and the Middlemore Foundation means it will be extended to eight high risk Papakura schools next term.
More than 24,000 swabs have so far been taken and about 4000 affected children treated and followed up.
Schools considered high-risk are usually in lower decile areas that have a high Maori or Pacific population, or have had students with rheumatic fever.
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