Taking a church-based approach to health and wellbeing

The Pasefika Family Health Group, the EFKS Puaseisei Church Magele and Otago University (Community Engagement) have partnered to create a new church-based community health initiative in South Auckland.

The Puaseisei Health Centre, a parish satellite centre, is based at the EFKS Puaseisei Church Magele in Mangere East, and will provide the surrounding Pacific community with accessible healthcare and advice in familiar and safe surroundings. It will also offer the opportunity for Pacific Otago medical students to come and carry out practicum experience as part of their medical and nursing training.

Using the Fale Komiti approach—a Samoan concept of using an existing house or space within a village to deliver a range of healthcare services—the centre will offer immunisations, pregnancy support, Well Child Tamariki Ora services, health education, bowel screening and HPV screening to church members and anyone who wishes to access them.

Galumalemana Vaifagaloa Naseri, General Manager of the Pasefika Family Health Group, says she believes the centre is the first of its kind in Aotearoa.

“Pacific healthcare providers often go out into their churches and communities to deliver services like immunisations, but this is different—it’s a complete healthcare service based and delivered in a church setting.”

Helping Pacific people navigate their health journeys

A Pacific health navigator, employed from within the church, will be available to talk to people about healthcare and then set up clinic appointments based on their needs, acting as the link between the church community and the Pasefika Family Health Group services.

“The health navigator will be familiar with individuals and families within their parish and local community, and can help them learn about what’s on offer,” says Galumalemana Vaifagaloa. “It's about health literacy—people understanding what they need, and what’s available, and then having access to those health services in a space they feel safe in.

“For example, if there are new babies within the church, our navigator can talk to the family about the health and wellbeing of the parents and babies, and the developmental checks that the babies need. And if they’re not already enrolled in services like Well Child, we can arrange for our Well Child nurse specialist to come to the church for them.”

Galumalemana Vai says they’re now planning how to approach HPV screening with the church women’s fellowship groups. “We’ll be holding information sessions on a Sunday afternoon, so women can come along and chat about the process with our health navigator. Then we’ll set up clinics at the church during the week, where they can all sit together and have cups of tea, and go in one by one for the screening process.”

Harriet Pauga, Pacific Health Northern Regional Director, says that the new centre has the potential to change the way healthcare is delivered. “At its heart, it’s about meeting the needs of our Pacific communities. Think big, start small, begin now—this is what the Pasefika Family Health Group have done by partnering the church with the health system.”

“It’s all about being community-led and community-owned,” says Galumalemana Vai. “It’s about community mobilisation and good relationships with each other—providing what our people need in the places they feel most comfortable.”