As of the 1st of December 2022, the Pasifika Medical Association Group was formally awarded the contract as Managing Services Contractor for the New Zealand Aid Programme Medical Treatment Scheme.  The New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS) has provided access to life saving medical treatment for Pacific countries for over 30 years.  

The scheme includes:

• Receiving Medical referrals for patients who require treatment in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji 

• Sending Visiting Medical Specialist Teams to undertake consultations and provide treatment in partner Pacific countries and

• Supporting investment in local health system Capability and Sustainability. 

This programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and covers six Pacific Island nations Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.   The contract spans from 1 December 2022 to 31 January 2028.

NZMTS has three key objectives.

1. Overseas Referral Scheme (ORS)

To improve health outcomes for men, women and children (who cannot afford it) by giving them access to specialised treatment not normally available in their home country. 

All patients will be assessed by a Doctor in their home country and referrals are made through the Overseas Treatment Referral Committee.

Contact details for the Overseas Referral Committees:

2. Visiting Medical Specialists (VMS)

To maximise opportunities for capability building and strengthen local health services.

3. Strengthening Country Capacity (SCC)

To support and strengthen health workforce capacity in countries through training, the development of systems and protocols.