Hamilton centre aims to reduce ‘five biggest killers’ in Māori health
A new multi-million dollar diagnostic centre in the heart of Hamilton aims to help reduce the “five biggest killers” in Māori health by bringing services back into the community.
The $12 million diagnostic centre Taakiri Tuu was unveiled yesterday and spearheaded by Waikato health provider, Te Kōhao Health. It aims to reduce common but detectable health issues like cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Too many Māori were falling victim to preventable diseases, too often due to a lack of proactive health services within arm’s reach, managing director Lady Tureiti Moxon said.
The multi-use clinic in Tennyson Rd, Enderley, was set to host private and public integrated solutions including radiology services, focusing on early detection and indigenous health methods.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Moxon said. On average Māori have the poorest health status of any ethnic group in Aotearoa, we are twice as likely to die from preventable diseases, twice as likely to face discrimination in health and are less likely to be referred for diagnostic tests.
“This health, wellness and diagnostic centre is our response to bringing services back into the community and creating a more fair and equitable health system for everyone.
“It is our aim to reduce the five biggest killers of Māori which are cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, cervical cancer, bowel and lung cancer.”
Amidst an echoing ceremony of music, haka and wailing karanga, korowai (traditional cloaks) were unclipped from their latches to reveal the new diagnostic centre.
The centre had been six years in the making but came when many in te iwi Māori were frustrated with the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority, and decisions being made by the current coalition Government.
Hamilton West MP and Minister Minister for Whānau Ora Tama Potaka represented the Crown on opening day.
While Potaka commended the work of those behind the centre in trying to combat health inequities, particularly amongst Māori, Potaka said the Government was focused on “getting a direct locally led and whānau centred solutions”.
“I don’t know all the details of this particular project but what I do know is that Te Kōhao Health are doing some great things in our community... absolutely that’s something we’d look at.”
But when asked how the Government’s move to disestablish the Māori Health Authority aligned with the work that had gone into the centre Potaka said, “I think where projects are really focused on whānau need, not only on Māori but all New Zealanders who have health needs”.
“Māori health outcomes have been challenged over many years, not only under National-led governments but also under Labour-led governments.”
The building was a testament to the work that Moxon and others had been doing to serve those who can’t help themselves.
Chairperson of Waikato-Tainui’s Te Arataura executive Tukoroirangi Morgan said the centre was a “beacon of hope”.
“These are families who live on the margins, families who the government have forgotten and you’ve put this place here.”
“I reminded [Tama] that Māori have to live with the jagged edge of [the government’s] racist policies, that we have to find a way to live our lives when they have forgotten about us.”
Meanwhile Ngira Simmonds, chief of staff and private secretary to Kiingi Tuuheitia, said Taakiri Tuu was the best form of protest Māori could do in response to legislative changes.
“Be who we are, live our values, speak our reo, care for our mokopuna, our awa, our maunga, just be Māori all day every day.”