Baker to share Covid insights
Professor at the forefront of health response to virus
Ka¯piti residents will have the opportunity for an up close and personal view of the country’s Covid-19 experience when Professor Michael Baker from the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, speaks at Southward Car Museum.
His talk is entitled How Aotearoa New Zealand is beating Covid 19 and key lessons for the future.
The event is being organised by the Ka¯piti Health Advisory Group (KHAG) and will include an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and to hear Professor Baker’s thoughts on what we learned and what we need to do to prepare for the future.
“Professor Baker is a key and integral part of New Zealand’s successful response to the pandemic,” KHAG chairman Dr Colin Feek said.
“The opportunity to hear his views and to consider what we in Ka¯piti need to think about for future health planning is one we are looking forward to.
“He will also talk about the importance of effective science communication, managing misinformation and disinformation, and where we go to from here with vaccines, borders and medium to long-term recovery.”
The presentation will discuss key implications and conclusions for improving evidence-informed decisionmaking to manage future threats and seizing public health opportunities provided by the Covid-19 reset. Prof Baker will also reflect on the shared experience of living through a very intense period in New Zealand’s history.
His work on public health, and the
Covid-19 response in particular, was recognised by a number of recent awards including the Critic and Conscience of Society Award (from Universities NZ), being made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM), his selection as the 2020 Wellingtonian of the Year, and winning the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize in 2021.
KHAG was set up by Ka¯piti mayor K Gurunathan almost four years ago and until late last year was chaired by Kathy Spiers.
The group has been working closely with health providers, including Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) and Mid Central District Health Board looking at how access to health services can be improved for the
people of Ka¯piti.
“KHAG has been able to participate in and support planning for a number of important health services in Ka¯piti,” Dr Feek said.
“Last year we were able to assist ASK in their quest for a wheelchair access shuttle and ongoing funding.
“We backed WFA in the development of the successful ambulance diversion service which has saved more than 500 Ka¯piti residents the onerous trip by ambulance to Wellington Hospital and provided them with fee-free medical treatment in Ka¯piti.
“More services, closer to home, better co-ordinated and using smart initiatives are key to improving access to health services in Ka¯piti.
“Proposed changes to the health system focus strongly on community participation and the opportunity to provide input into future services for Ka¯piti is one that we must seize.
“Bringing such a prestigious event as Professor Baker’s presentation to Ka¯ piti is another way in which KHAG can continue its support of improved health services in our district.
“We look forward to a lively and informative evening.”
KHAG has decided that such an important event should have no barriers and there will not be a charge for entry. However Prof Baker has suggested that donations be made towards getting Covid-19 vaccines to Pacific countries, particularly Fiji, where they will definitely save lives.
“Your donation, no matter how small, will be valued.”
The ASK Shuttle will also show its support and will pick up, door to door — at no charge — Ka¯ piti residents who are not able to drive themselves or need to come in a wheelchair to the venue.
Numbers are limited but if you would like to be collected then phone A Safe Ka¯piti (ASK) on 0800 502 066 ext 0 to book your seat.