Ignorance and responsibility in health.

Tu Tangata, Issue 5, 1 April 1982, Page 26

Ignorance and responsibility in health.

by Pat Todd.

HAUORA/Health

The issue of Maori Standards of Health raised by Dr Eru Pomare in his report released last year, indicates that the incidence of mortality from most of the common killing diseases was still noticeably higher among Maori than among non-Maori, even though health standards have improved considerably over the past 10 years.

Statistics today show that Maori make up 8.6% of the total New Zealand population. Almost half of them are under 25 years of age; while at the other end of the scale, only one Maori in every 100 is 70 years of age or older compared with 6 non-Maori. In my own urban-rural area of public health nursing, 35% of my families are Maori. By Maori I mean those people who identify themselves as such.

Earlier this year, Ann Barham, a Supervising Public Health Nurse in Hamilton, stated: ‘that society today places more emphasis on its ability to discover

defects in man, (and) that the illnesses of man have become more important than the man himself.’ A system of health based on knowledge of disease alone cannot produce

PAT TODD is a Public Health Nurse (since 1978) in the Hamilton UrbanRural area. As stated, a good third of the people in her area are Maori, and she is greatly concerned about their health. Nursing experiences have given added impetus to her personal interest in things Maori: This year (1982) therefore, she will be taking courses in Polynesian Studies together with Nursing Studies at University level.

good health. Erik Schwimmer had this to say: ignorance in matters of health and disease can only be met by programmes designed to make people aware of the problems so that they can see for themselves the benefits that will accrue to the health of their family, community and themselves.’ The identity, cultural beliefs and practices of the European New Zealanders stem from their European ancestry, and are naturally, quite different from those of the Maori. When referring to the issue of Maori standards of health, therefore, we should look at the structure of our society as a whole its institutions, communities and role relations in order to have an understanding of the problems Maori people face today. Too much beer.

Up to the time of European contact, the Maori was healthy, muscular and well built but not obese. Now they are much less healthy, less muscular and too many are obese! Too many also suffer from lung cancer and coronary heart diseases.

It is said their obesity is caused by the richness of the food they now eat; too much beer and alcohol; and not enough exercise. Such devastating changes in health following European contact, clearly illustrate the result of changes in life style.

It is also said that some Maori families have been visited by several health services for generation after generation and have been given up as hopeless by the services. I have discussed current health problems with some of the Maori people in my area,

and I have been told: ‘... we wonder why we go to the GP or the schools because the help we receive is so inadequate.’

Does not fit.

The advice is frequently in opposition to that given by another service; and at times does not fit in with their cultural beliefs.

How can we trust doctors or nurses who wash their hands in the kitchen sink where we prepare our food?’

They are suspicious of health providers who are often impossible to get hold of when they are most needed, yet there are so many of them. Often too, they are so authoritarian. Health professionals, they say, do not explain enough to the patient in hospital where the sterile, tightly run procedures can be quite bewildering.

It seems to me that we, providers of health, should have a listening ear, and not be judgemental. We should have a sharing relationship for there is much to be learnt from both sides. Furthermore, I believe it is essential to promote self-care by the individual and covercare or community care by the family and extended family. Cover care that is reciprocal, warm, honest with real concern for the well-being of each other.

Goal of society.

Mrs Barham is adamant in her writings that the introduction of Maori cultural values into the health care system is a step in the right direction. Maori people should be encouraged to express their ideas pertaining to health and illness; discuss events of importance in their lives, their philosophies and even their legends and customs.

Planners should allow for collaborative health care models which make the most use of self-care, cover care, professional care and alternative cultural care, such as the open and honest referral to Tohunga, where it is desired, as well as the use of ageless herbal remedies.

The old idea of health and social welfare where financial assistance and other services are provided for the disadvantaged and under-privileged must be re-organised, perhaps, even scrapped. By getting people to be responsible for themselves, and their actions, and motivating them to help themselves, Maori standards of health should improve.

By drawing out the potential of every individual and the family, man becomes the central concern. Human dignity and community rather than property of equality of opportunity become the central values. Health is not a separate list of institutions, but is a goal of society.

All institutions should be evaluated in terms of their contribution towards the development of the kind of human being we value and the social order we want.

POROPOROAKI/Obituaries

Mrs Elizabeth Himona, or Liz as she was affectionately known died at her home in October last year.

A life member of the Pouakani Maori Womens Welfare League, Mrs Himona is fondly remembered as being a strong loyal and diligent women in her work for both the Maori and pakeha people of Mangakino.

She was a most faithful member of the Anglican Chruch, and an original member of the executive group that worked for several years to establish

the Pouakani Marae. When it came to a question of food both quantity and quality were Liz’s key words. Her oven saw the passage of countless cakes that found a ready sale on stalls manned to raise funds for the League marae and Kokiri centre.

At other times tables for special events were made rich by the same kind of good food.

When she saw a job to be done, Liz worked at it with a will until she was smitten with illness and could no longer work, even in the garden that she loved so much.

Her many friends carry her spirit in their hearts, grateful to God for such a mother, a grandmother. “Grand friend does not fade but becomes part of the real life of the community that had become her own.” Noreira haere e kui haere, e kore koe e warewaretia e to iwi ropu wahine toko i te ora. Arohanui.

HAERE ATU RA, MARIA! HAERE KI TE IWI! WHAI MURI ATU I OU MATUA, TUPUNA, I TE PO! KUA TAKAHIA ATU RA KOE TE ARAWHANUI A TANE. KUA TAE KOE KI TE URUNGA MATUA. WAIHO AKE MATOU I KONEI I TE TANGI, I TE MAMAE KORE RAWA MATOU E WARE WARE I A KOE E TE TUAHINE. YOU HAVE VENTURED FORTH TREADING THE GOLDEN AND EXTENSIVE PATHWAY OF TANE, TO ARRIVE AT THAT SPIRITUAL RESTING PLACE

OF NOBLE AND ILLUSTRIOUS FOREFATHERS. HERE WE REMAIN IN GRIEF AND PAIN YOU SHALL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED BY US DEAR SISTER. NOREIRA HAERE ! HAERE! HAERE!

Education-Te Paroa Totara Native School Whakatane. (Primary) Sacred Heart College, Bluff Hill Napier. (Secondary). 1952-54 Member of Paroa Branch, Whakatane. 1954-56 President Tokoroa Branch. Delegate for Te Kaokaoroa D.C. to Conference. 1956-59 President, Wairaka Branch. 1959-63 Secretary, Ngati Awa D.C. 1963-68 President Ngati Awa D.C. 1968-74 Life Member of M.W.W.L. Area Representative. Waiariki Region. 1974-77 Member and then Secretary to Hamilton Branch. 1977- National Second V. President. 1978- Delegate for Hamilton to Conference.

1979- National Second V. President. 1980- National First V. President. Other Interests. Teacher. Melville High. Involved in Pre School Activities Cultural Groups, Parish Church Council, Friends at Court Assn, Voluntary Welfare Work, Work Supporter of Tu Tangata Whanau, Advisory Member. (T.T.W.) Netball Umpire, Basketball Coach, Squash, Softball.