Secretary of Health Bob Williams will continue in his role for another three years following his reappointment this month.

Williams says it is always a privilege for him to serve the people of Cook Islands.

“I was very grateful for the unanimous support and the opportunity extended for me to continue in my role with TMO.”

Williams, who has more than 20 years of experience holding various roles in government, was first appointed as acting health secretary in January 2021.

Reflecting on his first term, Williams identified workforce challenges as a major obstacle.

He cited both expatriate staff not renewing contracts and travelling abroad, and local staff departures due to family relocation or retirement.

Recruitment, he added, has been particularly difficult.

“Increase in the number of patients being referred to New Zealand for tertiary treatment and care – even from the Pa Enua to Rarotonga and some to New Zealand given the NCD (non-communicable diseases) conditions to almost half of our people,” Williams highlighted.

Furthermore, Williams pointed to outdated equipment requiring replacement and a growing need for palliative care among returning families, both placing considerable pressure on current healthcare resources.

Looking ahead to 2024, the Healthy and Smoke-Free Islands initiative will continue its northward journey, reaching the Northern Group, said Williams, adding the ministry will assess and plan for the next stage of the programme in the Southern Group.

He said they are also developing a policy paper for the development of regulations to operationalise the new Narcotics and Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2023.

The ministry will officially introduce Maori names for all health facilities in early 2024.

On January 15, 2024, the ministry will start the cervical cancer self-testing project in partnership with the Victorian Cytology Services of Australia.

The ministry will also design a cancer control plan supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Health through the Polynesian Health Corridor and Auckland University from January 15.

Other plans include the launch of the Baby Friendly Hospital project.

The second cohort for the Pacific Nursing Programme commences in February 2024 and the first cohort will travel to Wellington for their final year.

The ministry will also begin its in-country midwifery training with the Fiji National University (FNU).

With a strong focus on prevention and reorientation of the delivery of healthcare services, the ministry will implement the National Health Reorientation Plan and also strengthen its partnership with private sector and non-governmental organisations delivering healthcare services to the people.

While congratulating Williams on his reappointment, Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter said: “As with most of the 14 ministries, TMO continues to operate under tight budgetary constraints which has had a detrimental impact of the retention and recruitment of quality employees for the ministry.”

Hunter said despite the ongoing challenges, under the experienced leadership of Williams, TMO has demonstrated another satisfactory level of dedication and progress in the health sector.

The Office of Public Service Commission highlighted several key achievements of Williams during his first term as Secretary of Health:

- Leading the national response to COVID-19 including the roll out of vaccinations. Preparing the health system for Quarantine Free Travel (QFT) which allowed the QFT-Agreement between New Zealand and Cook Islands to become operational on May 17, 2021.

- Attaining and maintaining >95% immunisation coverage and >80% exclusive breastfeeding programme while administering the Covid-19 vaccines.

- Managing the third outbreak of dengue from February 2021 and managing to contain it with no fatalities.

- Dental Health facility upgrade and infrastructural changes.

- Completion and launch of Cancer Control Plan 2022-2027.