Health
Baby Teeth Matters programme brings oral health care to Cook Islands children
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s “Baby Teeth Matters” programme is making its way around the island, aiming to improve the oral health and wellbeing of mothers and young children up to the age of five.
Cook Islands grapples with highest childhood obesity rates in the world
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National
Cook Islands has the highest childhood obesity rate, with over 30 per cent of children having obesity, a recent study on worldwide trends in underweight and obesity reveals.
WHO affirms ongoing health support to Cook Islands
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Health, National
World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to the Cook Islands Dr. Kim Dickson reaffirmed the world governing body’s support to the Cook Islands in a meeting with Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Tepaeru Herrmann last week.
Autism Cook Islands visits outer islands
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National, Outer Islands
Autism Cook Islands is committed to visiting as many of the outer islands.
Uncovering hidden struggle: Pa Enua Dyslexia Programme identifies widespread needs
Monday 26 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National, Outer Islands
The Cook Islands Dyslexia Society’s Pa Enua Dyslexia Programme, including Rarotonga, found that 100 per cent of the students tested were below average and required further support or a full assessment.
TMO’s patient referral costs skyrocket amid NCD crisis
Monday 26 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, National
Patient referral budgets have skyrocketed in the Cook Islands as the nation grapples with almost half its people suffering noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Al Williams reports.
Autism Cook Islands kicks off year with $4000 donation
Friday 23 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, Local, National
Autism Cook Islands has gotten off to a great start for this year thanks to a generous $4000 donation from the Rarotonga Growers Association’s special dinner event.
Health ministry recommends Covid boosters for vulnerable populations
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
Following new cases of Covid-19 in the Cook Islands, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health is advising additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine for further protection of vulnerable and high-risk populations.
Nurses cry out for help as NZ pledges millions
Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, National
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters pledged $30 million to the second phase of the Polynesian Health Corridor Programme, during the Pacific Mission last week, aiming to strengthen healthcare systems across the Pacific.
Cervical cancer self-testing screens nearly 300 women
Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
Despite facing registration dips and no-shows, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health’s cervical cancer self-testing programme has successfully screened 290 women in Rarotonga.
Cook Islands nursing students off to New Zealand for final year of study
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, National
Twelve Bachelor of Nursing Pacific students have made it to their final year of studies under the programme, run in conjunction with Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health, Whitireia Polytechnic and University of the South Pacific
Heart disease still top killer
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, National
Cardiovascular disease is still the top killer of non-communicable diseases, according to Te Marae Ora Minister of Health’s fourth quarter NCD report for 2023.
New Zealand Health Minister offers solidarity, shares health concerns
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, National
Rarotonga Hospital and Te Marae Ora staff received a special visit yesterday by Dr Shane Reti, New Zealand’s Minister for Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples.
Mammogram machine ‘ready’ for procurement, says TMO head
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
A new mammogram machine is ready for procurement, and preparatory electrical and renovation work is still in progress, says Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.
18-year-old seeks help for urgent medical treatment
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Fiji, Health, Local, National, Regional
Fundraising efforts are underway to help 18-year-old Valyla Hickes get the medical treatment she needs in Fiji.
Frontline workers tackle stress and anxiety
Thursday 1 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, Local, National
“Anxiety presents in physical sensations, thoughts and behaviour. It’s something most people will experience at some point in life. Shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, and sweating can be signs of anxiety. Thoughts may turn to dread, terror, doom and apprehension. It can disrupt routine and relationships when behaviour changes, causing irritability and difficulty sleeping.”
Cook Islanders seek change in mental health attitudes
Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, Local, National
“Neneva, avouvou, ka’a ka’a.” These are some of the terms used towards and about Cook Islanders that experience mental illness.
No health without mental health: Tackling mental health stigma in the Cook Islands
Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, Local, National
A mental health workshop for frontline workers aims to tackle stigma and promote community awareness through cultural integration and improved access to services. Candice Luke reports.
Covid-19 test kits made available
Monday 29 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National
As of January 22, Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health reported eight Covid-19 cases.
Workshop to tackle mental health stigma
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Health, National
Mental health organisation Te Kainga O Pa Taunga is preparing to host a primary care psychiatry workshop for frontline staff and volunteers, to tackle the issue of mental illness stigma in the Cook Islands and improve statistics.
