Rheumatic fever failure in spotlight
Causes of epidemic not addressed, says Greens co-leader Snowfall arrives for school holidays
The number of people dropping out of a rheumatic fever treatment programme raises further concerns about the Government’s high-profile goal of stamping out the disease, the Green Party says.
The Government made cutting rheumatic fever rates by two-thirds one of its top 10 priorities for the public sector in 2012, but failed to reach its target by the June deadline.
In the Budget, it halved funding for the programme, as the Ministry of Health decided to focus on the most at-risk population groups rather than every district health board.
Counties Manukau DHB has one of the highest rates of rheumatic fever cases. New figures released under the Official Information Act show that 58 of the 628 patients added to a rheumatic fever register in Counties Manukau in the last two years had fallen off their treatment plan.
The DHB said the main reasons for disengaging with their treatment were transience. Patients’ contact details were not known or they had left the region.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said the fallout rate created further doubt about the Government’s programme.
“I think the health professionals have been working really hard to deal with the rheumatic fever epidemic and to meet the Government’s targets.
“But they don’t have the resources and the root causes of rheumatic fever — poor quality housing and overcrowding — are not being addressed.”
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman conceded that reducing rheumatic fever rates was “always going to be a challenge”.
He underlined the gains made in Counties Manukau to date. By the end of the 2016, there had been a 36 cut in cases from the 2011 baseline.
Turei said the Greens would lift funding for the prevention programme and the Warm Up NZ insulation scheme it devised alongside the National Party in 2009.
That scheme has paid for up to half the price of insulation and heating in more than 250,000 homes.
The Government put another $18m into it last year, saying the funding would help upgrade 20,000 houses occupied by low-income tenants.
However, landlords have been slow to take up the grants and just 3700 houses have been insulated.
As a result, Energy Minister Judith Collins said last week that eligibility for the subsidies would be extended again to low-income homeowners. Heavy snowfall over the weekend provided a timely dump for some of New Zealand’s skifields.
At Mt Hutt, 15cm of snow fell on Saturday night and it was yesterday clear with light winds and temperatures just below freezing as skiers and snowboarders enjoyed the powder.
After light rain on Saturday night, combined with lower temperatures yesterday morning, the snow pack froze, resulting in firm and fast conditions.
Cardrona had 25cm of snow in the past 36 hours. Cloudy conditions on the mountain are set to clear.
The Arcadia Basin for advanced skiers is due to open to the public today. Temperatures were to fall -7C last night with rain and snow lowering to 500m. The Remarkables Shadow Basin opened after 15cm of snowfall and more light snow showers were expected. Temperatures were set to drop to -7C overnight with 4cm of snowfall, MetService said. Coronet Peak is open after receiving 3cm of snowfall on Saturday night. MetService predicted a mostly cloudy day with snow flurries falling to mid mountain.
In the north, Mt Ruapehu’s Turoa closedyesterday due to a 30cm soft snow base but is expected to open today. Whakapapa remains open with a 10cm base.
MetService predicted today and tomorrow would provide big snowfalls for the south. Conditions would clear for perfect ski conditions in Queenstown and Wanaka from Wednesday through to Saturday.