The rain did not dampen the opening celebrations of the new Etu Pasifika health clinic in central Christchurch on Saturday morning. Local priest and Etu Pasifika board member, Father Paulo Filoiali’i, spoke at the opening and said that the rain was a good omen for a very special occasion.
“Rain is a blessing from God and God has blessed us today.”
More than 250 people, including Pacific health leaders, government ministers, Etu Pasifika staff and families, gathered at the new premises on Tuam Street to celebrate the new clinic which was officially opened by the Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Health (Pacific), Hon Aupito Tofae Su’a William Sio.
Etu Pasifika was established in 2016 under the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group of companies with a partnership with Canterbury District Health Board, after the previous Pacific health provider in Canterbury, Pacific Island Health Council, could no longer operate.
PMA chief executive, Mrs Debbie Sorensen, spoke at the opening and acknowledged the many Pacific community leaders and original board members who passionately fought to have a health organisation dedicated to helping Pacific families in the Canterbury area. The PMA group has invested $2 million into fitting out the new premises with savings that have accumulated over 25 years. The clinic offers a wide range of services, including primary care, mental health services, matua services and Covid-19 responsiveness and support packages.
“As always, out of the ashes something beautiful rises. When we talked to our families over the last two years, they told us that they want to come into a place that feels like home. They want to feel welcomed; to have people who speak their language, who understand them. They don’t want to be a number or be pushed through a queue.
As we move forward, I hope that families will feel happy and welcomed”, says Sorensen.
The new clinic is designed to ensure that Talanoa is a core component of engagement with families and its walls are adorned with 12 original artworks by Pacific artists.
PMA Chair Dr Kiki Maoate (ONZM, FRACS), spoke at the opening and says the clinic’s central location makes it accessible to families and allows the Pacific community to have a strong presence in the city.
“Our community maybe thinking ‘why are we sitting in the middle of Christchurch?’ Because we need presence. This precinct is going to be the Pacific statement in Christchurch for the health sector. Look around the building, think to the future and help us with this journey. We have shown over the years that we can actually improve our outcomes. We have shown that the way we work is effective for our community”, says Dr Maoate.
Other speakers included Chair of the Canterbury District Health Board, Sir John Hansen, who spoke about the partnership between the two organisations, and Hon Aupito Tofae Su’a William Sio.
Minister Sio acknowledged the staff and leaders of Etu Pasifika for their hard work.
“This beautiful facility will become a new home for our Pacific communities, accessing high quality, wellbeing support. I want to congratulate Etu Pasifika for establishing this new building and the hard work you have put into developing and maintaining critical services to serve our Pacific community.”
The ceremony concluded with an exchange of gifts from a representative of each Pacific Island group living in the Canterbury area, who spoke about their appreciation for the services that Etu Pasifika provides.
The new clinic coincides with the opening of the organisation’s Covid-19 vaccination centre this week, which will be based at Etu Pasifika’s previous premises on Montreal St.
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Date: Tuesday 1 June May 2021