Discuss about the Governance and Management of Healthcare.
Health inequality has been the order of the day among the Maori people of New Zealand for decades (Rosa & O’Donnel, 2013). This is despite numerous endeavors by various stakeholders to alleviate it. Unequal distribution of social determinants of health has been the major culprit. Since the colonial period, the Maori have been subjected to environments characterized by impoverished housing conditions, poor income, wanting education and poor sanitation. These incessant factors have led to the existing differential disease incidences and inability to curb the existing ailments .For instance, deplorable housing standards and wanting sanitary facility in Aotearon New Zealand have contributed to the endemicity of tuberculosis which is the major cause of deaths in this locality (Ministry of Health New Zealand, 2011)
Differences in the access of health services have also contributed to the continued suffering of the Maori. This phenomenon is clearly depicted by minute cases of hospitalizations despite high mortality rate among the Maori. A number of factors have contributed to this disparity in the access of healthcare. A high number of Maorians reside in remote areas that are almost incompletely accessible. This poses a challenge to those without resource or access to transport to reach treatment and prevention services. In addition, lack of social support and ethnicity has led to this disparity. According to (Ministry of Health, 2011), comparatively, Maori people have less access to primary health care and social support than their counterpart ethnical groups. This has culminated in high burden of potentially controllable ailments among the Maori. Furthermore; differential exposure to health education has resulted in the indiscriminate indulgence in behavior risk factors among the Maori. These indulgences include excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use that has led to skyrocketing cases of cancer and mental health predicaments (Gutierrez, 2016).
The treaty of Waitangi is a written manuscript between Maori and British Crown which transpired in 1840.It obtains its name from the Island’s bay where it was born. It comprises of three principles (partnership, participation and active protection) that obligates the Crown and the Maori to work together. Its core purpose is to cultivate partnership between the two parties to see that the Maori interests are protected. This entails demonstrating responsiveness to the aspirations of the Maori while ensuring that they enjoy equal treatment in the health sector and all other forums (Hari, 2012)
Partnership entails working together. Under this principle, the government and the Maori community were to work hand in hand in the institution of strategies that were solely geared toward health gain of the Maori. Furthermore it was to see that the, altitudes, beliefs, and concerns of the natives are taken into consideration at all points of service delivery. It also envisions a scenario where the Maori can think independently and have a right in coming up with interventions that will promote their well-being (Hari, 2016)
In the participation article, it requires that the Maori people or their representatives to be actively involved at all stages of making decisions, planning and during the discharge of health services .The government was to create pathways to see that the Maori people are actively involved in the activities in the health sector. In addition, the opinion of the natives must be sought before the execution of any health plan that is relevant to them (Ministry of Health, 2007)
Active protection is the commitment of the government to see that all cultural aspects and values of the Maori people are safeguarded. It pertains ensuring that the levels of health of the natives is at par with that of the non-Maorians.This also entails the government instituting both promomotive and preventive mechanisms to levelize their health status with that of the non-Maori (Sier &Ngata, 2000)
Proper execution of the Waitangi principles can profoundly and positively change the health situation among the Maori people and the entire country at large. In the health fraternity, the health practitioner may embrace the principle of partnership by ensuring that he/she works closely with the patient during the plan and discharge of care.During healthcare delivery ,the nurse should be flexible and restraint. The patient’s right to have say about his /her health and preferences of interventions should be respected. This will go a long way in promoting patient’s self-worth and creating trust thus leading to positive health outcomes. In addition, this principle alludes that, during healthcare delivery, the healthcare practitioner should take into consideration the entire cultural aspect of the patient. This will create a culturally safe environment, propel the creation of trust thus positively impacting on the health status of the community.Moreover, this principle demands that during patient management various departments ought to come together if need be to ensure holistic care (Davis & Dew, 1999)
One of the factors that have contributed to health inequality among Maori people of New Zealand is poor involved in health matters. The principle of participation requires that people are involved in the development of health plans and strategies. During delivery of care, patient should be allowed to contribute towards care. Their opinions and concerns about care and health should be respected and taken into account (Rosa & O’Donnell, 2013)
The health team should come up with measures to safeguard the patient and public from any health hazard. This entails partnering with various stakeholders to set up adequate resources to see that the vulnerable enjoy same health status like others. For instance, this may involve propping up health promotive measures such as health education to educate the patient (s) and the public about risk behaviors that may contribute to ill-health. In addition, the health practitioners should endeavor to create a culturally safe environment to ensure that the values and beliefs of the patient are upheld and respected during the discharge of health services. Moreover, the health players should come up with preventive mechanisms such as immunizations programmers to prevent the public from contracting some infectious diseases such measles (Ministry of Health, 2007)
According to the initiated District Health Board of New Zealand (2014), health disparity among the New Zealanders has been declared as the main health priority. The government has been committed to partner with other sectors to dismantle this abnormality. To mitigate this, the government has sought to address a number of issues. Within its meagle and over-stretched resources, she is seeking to to find the root cause of this robust disparity in health among the New Zealanders .This is especially among the Maori and the Pacific people. All this disparities came into being as a result of colonization by the British. Their land was alienated and then they were subjected to numerous social injustices. All these have curtailed them from accessing good healthcare and curbing the high burden of diseases (Wepa, 2015)
To address this, the government has put numerous mechanisms in place to see that the available resources are shared equally among all the New Zealanders. It has endeavored to address social and economical aspects of the peoples. It has also supported the District Health Board to ensure that the people with the poorest health status have access to health housing, proper nutrition, clean water and proper sanitation. In addition, within this framework healthcare has been made comprehensive and affordable to all (Mc Gilivray, Duta & Lawson, 2011)
Chronic diseases such as ischemic heart disease and cancer have also been declared as health concerns in New Zealand as they claim a huge number of lives annually. Cancer is the second biggest cause of mortality in the country in both genders (New Zealand Council for Research 2016). The most common types of cancers witnessed include the following; lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and bowel cancer. This high prevalence has been attributed to aging population .In addition; indiscriminate tobacco consumption has also received an equal share of blame (Gutierrez, 2016).
Another menace that tops the list of the causes of mortality in New Zealand is ischemic heart disease. It is the leading cause of deaths in the country. It affects people of all ages but most commonly the elderly. It has been attributed to following factors inactivity, smoking, unhealthy diet, blood pressure and weight gain. To avert these problems, the government has intensified strategies to educate the public about the risk factor (Ministry of Health, 2011)
References
Davis, P. & Dew, K. (1999). Health and society in Aotearoa New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z: Oxford University Press
Gutierrez, W. (2016). Drug consumption: Patterns, influences and health effects. Wellington: Oxford University press
Harris, B. A. (2012). Tangata Whenua: An illustrated history. New Zealand: Bridget Williams Books
In Sutherland, I. L. G., New Zealand Institute of International Affairs., & New Zealand Council for Educational Research. (2001). The Maori people today: London: Oxford University Press
McGillivray, M.,Dutta, I., & Lawson, D. (2011). Health inequality and development. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
New Zealand. (2007). Medicines New Zealand: Contributing to good health outcomes for all New Zealanders. Wellington, N.Z: Ministry of Health.
New Zealand. (2011). Facts about health and disability in New Zealand. Wellington, N.Z.: Ministry of Health.
Rosa, D.P. & O’Donnell, O. (2013). Health and inequality. Bingley, U.K: Emerald.
Siers, J. &Ngata, T. (2000). The Maori people of New Zealand. Wellington: Seven seas publishing.
Wepa, D. (2015). Cultural safety in Aotearoa New Zealand, Manukau: Business media press
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download