Moko’s off to the UN

Dr Lance O’Sullivan will lead a delegation from Kaitaia’s Moko Foundation to the UN permanent forum on indigenous issues in New York next month.

He will present digital health models of care as a “circuit breaker” for health inequities he says drive significant loss of opportunities for indigenous people. Dr O’Sullivan said it was his life’s work to democratise health careusing technology and remote diagnosis to shorten response times, and place control of health in the hands of individuals, families and communities.

That approach had transformed communities often overlooked in conventional health systems, including indigenous communities. The programmewas relevant to communities around the world.

“Timely access to health services for vulnerable populations is a global issue. Our work in this area in Aotearoa New Zealand has without doubt made a difference. We want to advocate for innovative health approaches for indigenous peoples and other populations globally.

“What’s more, approaches such as remote diagnosis have relevance to many sustainable development goals, such as good health and wellbeing, reduced inequalities and industry, innovation and infrastructure, potentially helping us reach those goals faster.”

His appearance before the forum would highlight the need for indigenous voices in discussions on sustainable development goals.