With the decision from the NZ government to move the whole country into red status due to the community spread of the Omicron variant, health professionals strongly encourage the Pacific community to get fully vaccinated or if they are – seek to get their booster shot if they are eligible to do so.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) is prepared to mobilize the necessary support for Tonga, following the devastating impacts of a volcanic eruption and tsunami on the small but proud island nation.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Pediatrician, Dr David Tan, shared in a recent Ngalu Fānifo mental health segment on 531 PI’s Pacific Days show, that it is important for parents to have healthy conversations about the vaccine with their children.

The New Year’s Honours list for 2022 saw a number of Pacific leaders recognised for their contribution to the Pacific and wider NZ community. Leading the list for Pacific recipients was Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) member Faumuina Professor Fa’afetai Sopoaga (CNZM), who was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for her services to Pacific health and tertiary education.

In a recent Pasifika Futures’ (PFL) Ngalu Fānifo segment on 531 P.I. the talanoa centered around a sensitive topic that is applicable for many Pacific families - childhood trauma and ways we can approach the conversation with our children.

With Christmas upon us, Dr David Tan offered some advice and encouragement to Pacific families in a recent Ngalu Fānifo mental health segment on the Pacific Days Show on 531 PI.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) acknowledges the passing of PMA life member, Professor Sitaleki Finau.

Pasifika Futures (PFL) - the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families - has been steadfast in their provision of support for Pacific families during the Delta community outbreak and one of the support services for families has been pet care for Pacific families isolating in MIQ.

Chief Executive for Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), Debbie Sorensen, says the use of pulse oximeters is not enough to support the health needs of people in home isolation.

White Ribbon Day is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. Pasifika Futures’ (PFL) Ngalu Fānifo mental health segment on 531 P.I. recently touched on this theme with Dr Siale Foliaki looking at the impact of the current Covid-19 climate on family relationships.

In light of the current circumstances surrounding the Delta outbreak, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) will unfortunately be deferring its annual PMA Cocktail Scholarship Evening to a time in February 2022.

In a recent interview for Newshub Nation, Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) member Dr Api Talemaitoga spoke about some of the challenges Pacific communities continue to face in this current Covid-19 outbreak.