This week marks the first of the Pacific Language Weeks for 2023; this being Rotuman Language Week. PMA Member and ACEM Trainee Registrar, Dr Terry Fesaitu, is a proud Rotuman and is grateful to have been raised speaking the language and with Rotuman cultural values.

Public Health expert and Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group Board Director, Sir Collin Tukuitonga, says measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates for Pacific communities is concerning and needs to be a priority, following the emergence of two positive cases of measles in Auckland.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) is pleased to announce the launch of its annual Pacific Health Education Scholarships, aimed at supporting students pursuing careers in health-related fields as well as medical professionals currently practicing in their respective area of work. There are 11 scholarships available to be awarded to 19 individuals, including the addition of two new scholarships, the Elizabeth Powell Nursing Scholarship and the Dr Sitaleki Finau Scholarship.

The Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMA) has deployed a medical team to Tonga as part of the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS), funded by the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The team is made up of two Cardiac Physiologists, a Cardiologist and a Cardiac nurse. As part of the deployment, the implantation of new pacemakers will be performed – the first time this will take place in Tonga.

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance team (PACMAT) have completed their 28 day mission in Vanuatu, supporting communities affected by tropical Cyclone Kevin and Judy. Throughout the deployment, the PACMAT team travelled to 13 different locations and offered psychosocial, mental health and primary care support to 1,144 individuals. The mission was supported by the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). 

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) is celebrating 27 years of successful navigation in 2023 and is proud to collaborate with Te Marae Ora Cook Islands Ministry of Health to host this year’s PMA Conference in the Cook Islands.

Last week the Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance team (PACMAT), in partnership with the Vanuatu medical assistance team (VANMAT), travelled to Futuna and Aniwa in the Tafea province to provide primary care, mental health, dental, physiotherapy and ENT (ear, nose and throat) support to local communities. They travelled on the HELPR-1 response vessel, supported by Respond Global.

The University of Auckland's Centre for Pacific and Global Health (Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa) has officially launched and is the first university research centre dedicated to Pacific health; the centre's mission is to transform and positively impact health in the Pacific region and globally. Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group Board Director and Associate Dean Pacific for the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Administration, Sir Collin Tukuitonga, will be one of the three health researchers at the forefront of leading the centre.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) congratulates members of the PMA family who have been named in Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand's recently established National Pacific Health Senate. PMAG Board Director, Sir Collin Tukuitonga, has been appointed as the Chair; PMA President, Dr Kiki Maoate ONZM and Etu Pasifika Canterbury Board Director, Dr Tule Misa, have been named as members for the group.

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance team (PACMAT) has deployed its second team to Vanuatu this week as they continue to provide primary care, psychosocial and mental health support to communities affected by Cyclone Kevin and Cyclone Judy.

Easter is a time of reflection. Over last few months we have seen climate emergencies and disasters impact our country and the Pacific region, and we are grateful that we have been able to serve our communities, who have kept their spirits and their faith high through it all.

The Pasifika Dental Association (PDA) was officially launched in Auckland at the New Zealand Dental Association. Etu Pasifika Christchurch Board Director and PMA Member, Dr Tule Misa, has been named as the President of the association, an opportunity she looks forward to in helping promote the importance of oral health.