August 20, 2020
Dr Collin Tukuitonga – Covid test delays
A leading Pasifika health expert says the COVID-19 testing regime is failing vulnerable Māori and Pasifika communities.
Dr Colin Tukuitonga of the University of Auckland's faculty of medical and health sciences met Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa earlier this week to discuss testing in South Auckland.
He says the system cannot cope with the flood of people wanting to be tested.
"The reason they are saying the priority is those with symptoms and those with contacts is largely because the system is not in a position to cope with the demand, that's pure and simple," Dr Tukuitonga says.
He says the long wait for tests means many people who should be tested give up, and there are also problems with the lack of tailored information for kaumātua who may not have a good grasp of English.
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