The Cook Islands Ministry of Health, Te Marae Ora (TMO), has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to transform the nation’s health sector over the next five years.

The Ara-Tango Anga’anga – National Health Strategic Plan 2023–2027, launched in November 2023 but published last month, outlines over 200 target indicators across eight “Key Result Areas” (KRAs), aiming to enhance healthcare delivery, workforce development, infrastructure and governance.  

Secretary of Health Bob Williams had previously emphasised the plan’s mission to provide exceptional clinical care and services, ensuring the utmost satisfaction of patients.

He highlighted the importance of delivering secondary and tertiary care through main hospital health services and improving referral processes to New Zealand.  

In strengthening health systems, the first key result area outlined in the strategic plan focuses on bolstering the health system’s foundation through nine development areas.

These include: leadership and governance; review and update the Tobacco Products & Control Act; develop new regulations under the Public Health Act; implement the Public Health Act Implementation Plan; develop an Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Policy for TMO; review the National Health Service Fee Schedule policy; rebrand the Mental Health Unit; and maintain cooperation with core health partners. Some of these have already been implemented.

The second development areas focus around the health finance comprising of:

• Maintain performance indicators under the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) framework;
• Achieve an unqualified audit opinion;
• Implement 80 per cent – 100 per cent of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Funding programme, contingent on approval/disbursement;
• Increase health expenditure as a proportion of GDP per capita; and
• Scope prioritised areas of health for privatisation. 

The other development areas include: human resources for health; health information systems; health research; health infrastructure; public relations; and monitoring and evaluation.

Meanwhile, the strategic plan places significant emphasis on combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improving mental health services.

This includes initiatives like the Healthy Island and Smoke-Free Islands programmes, which have been rolled out to several southern group islands, with plans to extend to Aitutaki and the northern group islands.  

A key component of the plan is the development and retention of a skilled health workforce.

To support the delivery of quality healthcare services, the plan outlines significant investments in health infrastructure and technology.

This includes upgrading health clinics, ensuring disability access, and implementing digital health solutions like the ManageMyHealth portal and MedTech Evolution system. These advancements aim to improve patient management, data collection, and overall healthcare delivery.  

The Ara-Tango Anga’anga – National Health Strategic Plan 2023–2027 represents a comprehensive approach to improving the health and well-being of all Cook Islanders.

By addressing key areas such as governance, finance, workforce development, infrastructure, and technology, TMO aims to build a resilient and sustainable health system that meets the needs of its people now and in the future.