The progress of a country is measured on the barometer of the health of its people.
Such health includes physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual.
The adage, Healthy Society leads a Happy Country is true even today.
District Health Boards (DHBs) are charged with the responsibility of managing the physical and mental wellbeing of residents and citizens in New Zealand.
With the DHB elections nearing, it is imperative to elect a team that is balanced in its approach, with the ability to manage the activities efficiently and discharge its functions with responsibility and a sense of purpose.
I decided to be a candidate for the County Manukau DHB in the ensuing election, encouraged by my association with the health industry for 34 years and the management skills that I have acquired in my career.
As the owner-manager of a Wellness Centre for the past 15 years in Auckland, I understand the issues, challenges and problems that confront the DHBs, the people of our City and our communities.
I consider the wellbeing of our society supreme. It is a pity that many people suffer from a myriad of problems. These include old age ailments such as joint pains, life-style related problems such as diabetes, obesity and diseases of the heart and many others that we must tackle as a common cause.
The society as well as our health system will benefit if these problems are addressed appropriately in the early stages.
There is a need to examine these issues afresh, with an open mind.
Apart from physical problems, mental issues such as stress, depression, anxiety should also be examined thoroughly and appropriate solutions sought.
We should also examine why these issues continue to bother us, despite having been addressed since long.
These issues are not just medical problems and hence must be dealt with at social and family levels. We should recognise that education and awareness programmes should play a larger and more effective role to lessen the burden on our medical system.
If I am elected to the County Manukau DHB, I will seek practical solutions to the problems confronting us since long.
More importantly, I will carry your voice to the Board.
I need your support and your vote to serve you.
Dr Ajit Singh is Owner and Director of Planet Ayurveda based in Auckland. He is a Citizens & Ratepayers candidate for the Manukau District Health Board in the ensuing Local Body election.
