Munisha Singh said seeing the challenges that immigrants faced in their visits to the hospital including communication, trust and understanding led to her and four other colleagues creating the "Worldwide Mosaic" — a movement directed towards creating cultural safety.
"As New Zealand’s population becomes increasingly diverse, cultural awareness is emerging as a vital skill across all professions — not just within healthcare," she said.
A multi-ethnic study day, which was held in 2023, brought together people from Indian, Pasifika, Afghan and South African backgrounds to share their experiences.
Ms Singh said it was apparent that trust and cultural understanding mattered deeply to health professionals.
The Worldwide Mosaic was made as a platform by healthcare staff to foster cultural awareness and strengthen connections between the communities they served.
The initiative offered a four-hour cultural awareness workshop to support professionals in all sectors including healthcare, education, business and social services.
It focused on minority groups such as Muslim, refugee, Pasifika, Filipino and African communities, providing practical insights into cultural practices, communication styles, health traditions, and barriers faced by migrants. — Allied Media
