Dr Ashraf Choudhary –
South Auckland is a huge and diverse place undeserving of its negative reputation.
But unfortunately it has become a metaphor for poverty and deprivation
About 10% of Pacific peoples aged over 15 years are diagnosed with diabetes, approximately three times diagnosis rate of the total New Zealand population.
Our citizens of Indian descent are no different.
Obesity figures bloat
Obesity in New Zealand has also become an important national health concern in recent years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), New Zealand has the second-highest prevalence of overweight adults.
New Zealand Health Survey of 2014/15 also found that almost one in three adults (aged 15 years and over) were obese.
The reasons for the relatively poor health of Pacific peoples in New Zealand are numerous and complex. Poor housing conditions and poverty are major factors associated with many health issues.
Keeping pace
These are some of the challenges facing the governing board of the Counties Manukau District Health Board in their decision-making to make our region a healthier place to live. Population in our region is growing fast and becoming diverse, and our health services must keep pace with these demographic changes.
Labour Party has put up a team of competent candidates to stand for the forthcoming elections of the governing board of the Counties Manukau District Health Board.
We are delighted to have medical and legal experts, policy makers and community representatives in our highly diverse team.
We aim to provide high calibre leadership for decision-making in the CMDHB governance.
The Mission
We stand for (1) Improved community services for elderly care and medical chronic conditions (2) Improved community programs to combat obesity and reduce the risk of obesity related illnesses (3) Better integration of services between primary and secondary care to treat Type II diabetes (4) Faster access to cancer treatment (5) Better integration with social services to provide health care that addresses the social determinants of health and (6) Retention of all CMDHB land assets for the use of public health services.
Unlike the Local Council election where voting is by the First Past the Post system where you give a tick for the candidates, voting for the CMDHB is by Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
Please Rank Labour candidates, of your choice, by giving each person a different number between 1-7. Number 1 is the highest rank.
Dr Ashraf Choudhary is a candidate in the Counties Manukau District Health Board election.
Photo :
Labour candidates for the Counties Manukau District Health Board election (from left) Barry Kirker, Mohanan Morghanan, Apulu Reece Autagavaia, Ala Bakulich, Alistaire Hall, Dr Ashraf Choudhary, and Dr Neru Leavasa
