Former Ministry of Health Pacific health director Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone and new director Markerita Poutasi were in Oamaru yesterday to meet representatives from the Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group (OPICG), Well South, Waitaki District Health Services, Waitaki District Council and other health organisations.
In the past 18-months, OPICG members have held several Covid-19 vaccination clinics and administered its Waitaki Covid-19 welfare care network service, supporting people who tested positive or self-isolating.
In her first visit to Oamaru in her new role, Ms Poutasi praised the Oamaru, and national, Pasifika community for its response.
"I’ve never seen anything like it — I really acknowledge the service because it was so huge," Ms Poutasi said.
She connected with OPICG vaccinators, felt Oamaru was positioned well for the new health reforms and listened to representatives concerns — main issues included long term funding, resources, work opportunities, access to education and housing.
OPICG general manager Hana Halalele said they wanted to make sustainable change, but it was difficult with short-term funding bouts.
Oamaru had complex needs, with a diverse migrant community and both rural and urban sectors.
Ms Clifford-Lidstone, who is now working for the Ministry of Health to create the Pacific strategy, said Oamaru’s perspective when developing the Pacific and rural strategies would be invaluable.
She hoped to include two people from the community on both strategies advisory boards.
Oamaru was her "favourite place" due to the dynamic between the OPICG and mainstream infrastructure, Ms Clifford-Lidstone said.
"I want to maintain connections within this community," she said.
