Minister congratulates Pacific healthcare provider

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti visited healthcare provider Fonua Ola in Auckland recently to discuss priorities for Pacific health in Aotearoa and congratulate them on their latest award of funding.

Administered by the Te Whatu Ora’s Pacific Health group, the Pacific Provider Development Fund (PPDF) is an annual fund designed to help Pacific health and disability providers improve and build the services to their communities. Fonua Ola has received funding under the PPDF since 2021.

Markerita Poutasi, Te Whatu Ora’s National Director of Pacific Health, says that Fonua Ola makes a significant contribution to the health landscape in Auckland.

“Quite simply, they make a real, tangible difference to the lives of Pacific children, young people and their families, supporting them to have a sustainable future.”

Fonua Ola provides healthcare services for Pacific children, young people and their families in Auckland, including mental health and addiction services, social work, counselling, youth programmes, family violence intervention and parenting support.

Chief Executive Magele Brenda Simmons was pleased to host the Minister onsite at their Manukau office , along with Pacific leaders and partners and members of the Fonua Ola Board.

“It gave us an opportunity to talk about health disparities affecting Pacific, measles, and the need to work together to increase immunisation rates for Pacific people,” says Brenda.

“It was powerful to have the opportunity to raise these incredibly important issues directly with the Minister, and I was pleased to see his commitment to supporting healthcare providers to serve our Pacific communities.”