Health Minister’s ‘Top Priority’ All
Talk, No Action
The Health Minister’s statement that
youth suicide is his “top priority” is all talk and no
action, says New Zealand First.
“The Minister’s
decision to remove the proposed targets for his suicide
prevention strategy out of fear of accountability shows his
‘top priority’ is politics, not health care,” says Ria
Bond, New Zealand First List MP based in
Invercargill.
“In real terms, the target the Minister
scuttled was to save 12 lives a year from suicide.
“New
Zealand has the highest rate of youth suicide in the OECD.
This ‘top priority’ of the Minister shows he is
treating suicide prevention as he does the rest of
healthcare - penny pinching and ignoring real
need.
“This government has to stop talking about youth
suicide and start taking action,” says Ms Bond.
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