Dr Apisalome Talemaitoga FRNZCGP, a senior member of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) and member of the Health Ministry’s Pasifika Covid-19 response team, says the regular briefings on various Pacific media platforms complement the daily updates by Dr Ashley Bloomfield and are led by Pacific medical professionals fluent in their respective languages.
Dr Talemaitoga says since the recent Covid resurgence has mainly affected Pacific families, the weekly bulletins in languages like Samoan, Fijian, Tongan and Niuean, are essential updates in order to distribute important information to the community.
“There’s been a lot of organising to find Pacific medical staff who are fluent in their language to be part of these briefings because many of them are also working in the hospitals on the frontline.
Many of our Pacific people have low health literacy rates. Our older generation may not have a good understanding of English and find it hard to get their head around these new health concepts related to Covid-19.
It’s not as simple as ‘I’ve got this virus.’ It’s also about all the implications; what does it all mean, what’s involved and what do I need to do to help my community, like getting tested and following the health guidelines. It’s much easier to understand all of this if it’s coming from someone who speaks your own language.”
He says language has also been a focus for the staff at testing stations across Auckland. Many of the nurses are from the Pacific community and can communicate with families speaking their own language. He says this has made it easier for the 16,000 Pacific individuals in Auckland who have been tested since the Covid resurgence more than a week ago.
In fact, Dr Talemaitoga says his team are looking for more health professionals to work at the testing stations in Auckland and finding speakers fluent in Pacific langauges is a priority.
“A lot of our people are doing 12 hour days so we are looking for more workers to help with that workload.
It’s not all about the test. It’s the health professional’s job to also calm the people, explain the test, reassure them and thank them for coming forward to get this done. If this is coming from someone who speaks your language, then people have a greater appreciation.”
To access a Whānau Ora Family Support Package please click on the following link to connect directly with one of our partners – http://pacifichealth.org.nz/covid-19-support/
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Date: Thursday 20 August 2020