Rural New Zealanders suffer from lack of available healthcare, say doctors

5 Aug 2024

NZ Herald

Doctors working in rural communities say their patients are dying at higher rates from preventable causes simply because of where they live.

Rural New Zealand produces 80% of New Zealand’s export earnings — but when it comes to health, rural Kiwis are getting short-changed.

Northland surgeon Vanessa Blair grew up an hour north of Dargaville, where her sister still runs the family farm.

Their mother started having chest pains one Saturday, and her husband drove her to Dargaville Hospital.

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Key issues

HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS

Covering developments in the provision, funding and organisation of health care services.

EQUITY

Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.

DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS

Covering prescription medicines and medical devices.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Focusing on efforts to promote health and prevent disease through social and economic interventions.

DIGITAL HEALTH

Exploring the potential digital transformation to provide a more connected and accessible health system.

TE TIRITI

Monitoring how the health reforms and the performance of the health sector uphold Te Tiriti obligations.