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SOUTH SEAS HEALTHCARE CLINIC COMING OF AGE |
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By Malia Tu’ai Manuleleua |
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Friday 14th May 2004 celebrated South Seas Healthcare’s 5th
Anniversary and official opening of the new extension to its Clinic at
the Otara Shopping Centre. Guests, and representatives of organizations
in the heath sector and the community witnessed another step towards
the South
Seas Clinic coming of age!
A traditional Powhiri opened the event, followed with a prayer by the
Reverend Aotofaga Lemuelu of the Otara Pacific Island Church (PIC).
Speeches by Founders and Board members, Dr Teuila Percival, Dr Siro
Fuata’i, Dr Juliet Walker and Dr Suitafa Deborah Ryan gave a view of
the early beginnings of the Clinic and the trials and tribulations
encountered by those with the vision of establishing a Pacific Clinic
in Otara.
Dr Teuila Percival delivered an emotional speech commending the staff
of South Seas Health care for their “commitment and passion ... many
times going beyond the call of duty to ensure quality care was provided
for their patients.”
Dr Ryan also described the clinic as a place of hope for Pacific people.
She shared her experience of a Samoan family who had heard of the
Clinic and had traveled from Christchurch to seek assistance. In this
respect, Dr Ryan
said that the clinic was a place of hope for Pacific people and others
who were in need of good health care. Dr Ryan was a former Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) for South Seas before moving to Wellington to
take up her current position as Pacific Chief Advisor to the Ministry
of Health.
The Hon Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Afioga Taito
Philip Field paid tribute to South Seas Healthcare and to all those who
had played an
instrumental role in realizing this dream. The Minister officially
opened the Clinic and guests were invited to observe the new extension
to the premises.
During lunch at the Otara Musica Arts Centre, Dr Andrew Chan Mow
delivered a presentation on the journey of South Sea’s Health care.
Entertainment was provided by South Seas staff and a well received Manu
Samoa dance by our former Manu Samoa representatives, To’o Vaega and
Filipo Saena.
South Seas Clinic is staffed by Pacific Doctors, Nurses, Community
Health Educators, Social workers and a dietician. |
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Hon. Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Afioga Taito
Philip Field to officially open the new extension of the South
Seas Healthcare clinic at Otara.
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Dr. Siro Fuatai, Pacific doctor and a founding member, one of
the key speakers on the day. |
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Entertainment by staff members of South Seas Healthcare
including former Manu Samoa players To’o Vaega and Filipo Saena. |
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Apart from GP services at Otara,
the Provider offers a number of specialist services including
paediatric, respiratory, diabetes, school based, and pre-school based
clinics. South Seas Kids a branch of the Clinic based in Papatoetoe
provides health care support for children in the homes and schools.
Another programme, the Hawaiiki Programme is an intensive family home
visiting service for the Mangere community. This team assesses a
family’s needs and works with them in finding solutions to housing,
education, employment and health issues they may have. Nurses, Social
workers and Community Care Advocates make up this team with former Manu
Samoa representatives To’o Vaega and Filipo Saena also playing a
significant role in the work of this group.
Tepora Peseta, South Seas Director of Nursing said that the clinic had
definitely made an impact upon the community in terms of providing a
holistic service which was culturally appropriate and aimed at quality
health care service to not only its enrolled patients but also to those
who visit from other parts of New Zealand and the pacific islands.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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