Nationhood Event to celebrate Pacific Health Initiatives

Nationhood Event to celebrate Pacific Health Initiatives

Pacific Island health will be the focus of a Nationhood reception at Government House in Auckland on Friday. The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae will host four organisations promoting public health initiatives to combat conditions which are prevalent in Pacific Island populations.

Hepatitis New Zealand will be promoting its plans to expand its highly successful New Zealand programmes into the Pacific Islands. The Fred Hollows Foundation will exhibit its new mobile eye-care facility before it is shipped off to Fiji, Arthritis New Zealand will be promoting greater awareness of gout and its treatment, and the Heart Foundation will be outlining its work to eradicate rheumatic fever in Pacific Island populations in New Zealand.

The reception recognises New Zealand’s special relationship with Pacific Island nations and addresses common health conditions in the Pacific Island populations in New Zealand. The Governor-General said he was pleased to provide a platform for the health initiatives. “These organisations are all highly regarded for their advocacy and public health initiatives and they are committed to make a difference to Pacific Island health, especially where diseases or conditions are preventable or manageable”.

ENDS

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