The annual Cook Islands health conference kicked off yesterday with the World Health Organization’s new regional director attending and a focus on oral health, non-communicable diseases and strengthening the health workforce.

Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, the first Pacific islander to become regional director for the World Health Organization (WHO), took the spotlight as the three-day 23^rd Cook Islands Annual Health Conference got underway.

At the opening ceremony held at the National Auditorium on Wednesday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas, along with his Cabinet members, government officials and Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Islands (TMO) staff welcomed Dr Piukala. The welcome included the pa’ata ceremony, a traditional honour bestowed upon visiting chiefs and leaders.

Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, the first Pacific islander to become regional director for the World Health Organization (WHO), being carried on the pa’ata, a traditional honour bestowed upon visiting chiefs and leaders. TALAIA MIKA/24071016

In her opening address, Minister for Health Rose Toki-Brown acknowledged Dr Piukala’s presence at the conference.

“My good friend, a former Minister of Health from Tonga, and the very first Pacific Islander to take the role as the Western Health Organization Regional Director in the Pacific, thank you very much from the people of the Cook Islands. I wish to acknowledge our Kaumaiti Nui for allowing us the protocol you have seen this morning,” Toki-Brown said.

“That is our way of showing our respect and how proud we are, Cook Islands people, that a Pacific Islander for the first time has taken up this very important role within the Pacific for many, many years.”

Toki-Brown also highlighted the theme of this year’s conference, “My health, my life”, using it as a strong emphasis for the younger generation participating in the conference, encouraging them to take heed of the messages about healthy eating and smoking.

“There is a very strong focus in this conference on oral health. We all know, you are what you eat so whatever you put in your mouth, will show on your body,” she said.

“So our mouth is the gateway into our bodies’ overall health. So my healthy mouth, and whatever you put into your mouth will show on your body.”

Toki-Brown also shared Cook Islands’ goal of becoming a smoke-free nation in the next few years. She emphasised that this initiative is for the future generation and stressed the importance of teaching today’s parents about the impacts of smoking.

Danniel Daniel Jr performs a turou at the opening ceremony of the 23rd Cook Islands Annual Health Conference yesterday. TALAIA MIKA/24071017

The conference will focus on three main issues:  Oral Health – Connecting Mouth to Body; Non-Communicable Diseases – Healthy futures, and Workforce – Strengthening and Wellbeing.

In his address, Dr Piukala acknowledged and congratulated the Ministry of Health for the newly legislated Public Health Act 2024, and the Tobacco Product Control Amendment Act 2024 which will ban e-cigarettes targeting the children.

“It is an honour and privilege for me to be here for today’s important health conference with a focus on addressing oral health, non-communicable diseases, and strengthen the health workforce,” he added.

Dr Piukala is a politician, public health leader and surgeon with nearly 30 years of experience working in Tonga and across the Pacific. He is a champion of multisectoral collaboration to tackle NCDs and health threats posed by climate change.

TMO is hosting the conference together with the School of Dentistry and Oral Health at Fiji National University (FNU) College of Medicine, supported by WHO, UNICEF and Air Rarotonga.