Health
Tourism boss: Fight fat with tax
Wednesday 11 September 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Health
He’s one of the Cooks’ biggest resort owners; now Tata Crocombe has put his weight behind health experts’ calls for a “junk food tax” to shrink the country’s waistlines.
Scientists' call: Tax junk food
Monday 9 September 2019 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Health
All sugary, fatty and salty foods should be taxed, says study. Jonathan Milne and Gray Clapham report. Scientists are urging policy makers to “seriously consider” introducing a broad junk food tax to help curb the obesity epidemic.
Measles: 'We should expect the worst'
Saturday 7 September 2019 | Published in Health
Health officials charged with preventing a measles outbreak say they are “expecting the worst”.
'Genetics loads your gun your lifestyle pulls the trigger'
Tuesday 3 September 2019 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health
Cheryl Marsters and her family believe in natural remedies and they live it every day.
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.
