March 08, 2024
Primary health fix needed
A Māori general practitioner says the closing of Te Aka Whai Ora is a lost opportunity for Māori providers to come up with their own solutions for Māori health needs.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti claims that while the Māori Health Authority is over, the Government will continue with iwi Māori partnership boards which can help to plan and deliver primary and community healthcare.
But Lily Fraser, the clinical director for Otago-based Māori primary health provider Te Kāika, says Maori providers will be unhappy going back under Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.
“The ability to be independent and make our own decisions was really important so obviously I’m really really disappointed,” she says.
Dr Fraser says winding back the reform does nothing to fix the problems faced by hauora Māori and general practices, including an outdated funding model, shifts in expectations of primary care and staff shortages which are driving lengthening wait times.