Health
Mosquito larvae in tyres, pot plants and worse
Tuesday 3 September 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health
The Public Health national cleaning campaign or Tutaka, with the mission to safeguard against diseases transmitted by mosquitos, such as dengue, was held last month with several issues discovered and reported.
Big clean-up coming to clear dengue fever
Monday 2 September 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Health
The number of people being diagnosed with dengue fever has fallen off dramatically, the Secretary of Health says.
Warning: Babies at measles risk
Saturday 31 August 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health
Parents are urged to isolate small babies from anyone who could be carrying measles. As Auckland-based Cook Islanders fall victim to New Zealand’s major measles outbreak, people here are urged to stay calm – and cautious.
Big clean-up coming as health authorities work hard to get rid of dengue
Saturday 31 August 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Health
The number of people being diagnosed with dengue fever has fallen off dramatically, the Secretary of Health says.
Dr Aumea on island rescue mission
Thursday 29 August 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health
The Secretary of Health is flying to Mangaia to investigate concerns – as news emerges of an injured papa who had to pay for his own medical evacuation.
Data shows dirty water at stations
Tuesday 27 August 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Health
Two of Rarotonga’s most notorious drinking water stations have cleaned up – but the remaining four continue to have high contamination levels.
Health boss hails the 'resilience' of Pa Enua without any doctors
Thursday 22 August 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health
The Ministry of Health says it cannot afford to provide doctors to islands with fewer than 1000 people.
Ui Ariki proclaim chlorine support
Tuesday 20 August 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health
Traditional leaders have announced they are broadly in support of chlorinating Rarotonga’s water supply.
Cooks doctor: 'If MPs can fly business class, why can't they pay for doctors?'
Saturday 17 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
A Cook Islands doctor working in New Zealand says she would like to move back here but needs government to start offering medical practitioners decent salaries.
'Man in charge drank water from sewage outfall'
Friday 16 August 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health
Residents are mixed in their responses to a proposed 300-metre outfall pipe to flush treated sewage from Muri out into the ocean off Turangi.
Chlorine safe and effective if dose is right, says expert
Thursday 15 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
Chlorine can be an efficient water disinfection in Rarotonga, says a food technologist.
Napa first MP to take drug test
Wednesday 14 August 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health
She walked into the Rarotonga Hospital leading by example, as she became the first Member of Parliament to undergo a drug test, at her own will.
Dengue cases rise to 78
Wednesday 14 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
Seventy-eight (78) dengue cases have been reported since the outbreak in January this year.
Anolyte water a 'better solution'
Monday 12 August 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health
The 5-star Aitutaki Nui resort has got rid of chlorine and installed an expensive anolyte water disinfection system to give its guests safe and drinkable tap water.
Tutaka starts: It's time to clean up properties
Saturday 10 August 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health
Rakes, mowers, weed eaters and rubbish fires will be sparking into action this weekend in preparation for the tutaka inspection beginning on Monday, a health initiative started in the 1930s.
'Learn from the past,' says leader
Saturday 10 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
The people of Rarotonga have been urged to learn from a previous big waterborne disease outbreak, when locals were found to have died from drinking un-chlorinated water.
'Cancer burden' a Pacific health concern: Herman
Thursday 8 August 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health
Secretary for Health Dr Josephine Herman has called for a strengthened regional approach to combat what is known in the Pacific as the “cancer burden”.
Price of drinkable water: $1 a day
Saturday 3 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
A household in Rarotonga could pay from $33 to $71 a month in water bills, government’s project management unit estimates.
No chlorine in your water
Saturday 3 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
No chemicals have been used on the new water project, Te Mato Vai says. The project management unit and contractor McConnell Dowell are concerned some community members believe chemicals are currently being used for treatment of the water supply.
Cooks and Pacific lagging on health and water – UN
Friday 2 August 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
Cook Islands and the rest of the Pacific will not be able to achieve any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, warned a United Nations agency.