|
$3.5m boost to agriculture
Aunty Mau named in New Year’s honours
Exports hit new low
Eight-year-olds break into store
Tourism marketing efforts pay off
ON THE STREET
MFEM warns about debt levels
Rheumatic fever medication in short supply
MFEM warns about debt levels
Rheumatic fever medication in short supply
Car goes off road at Blackrock
Foreign aid increases
New portfolios allocated to ministers
Tough times ahead: Wilkie
Rheumatic fever medication problem causes upset
New portfolios allocated to ministers
$3.5m boost to agriculture
Thu
31 Dec
|
|
Deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore is one of the largest growers in Rarotonga and he’s confident the outer islands’ agriculture industry can be revitalised if the people ‘help themselves’ by taking advantage of the opportunities being offered under a new government-led strategy.
09123008
|
A $3.5 million government project will attempt to revitalise the declining agriculture industry in the outer islands from next year.
The funding, approved by cabinet last month, will come directly from the Asian Development Bank $13.4 million economic recovery support loan secured in October.
Deputy prime minister and agriculture minister Robert Wigmore says he is driving the project for Mangaia and the Nga Pu Toru islands – Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro – because he knows it can work.
The minister announced the project yesterday along with secretary of agriculture Anthony Brown and Business Trade and Investment Board chief executive Terry Rangi, who were part of the group of government officials who began working on the concept in September.
Brown says having agencies such as the ministry of infrastructure and planning (MOIP), the office of the prime minister and island administrations working together with agriculture for a common good has been encouraging.
Wigmore is confident that the project will work – if the people are willing to see the potential benefits of working in the industry.
“It’s an opportunity for the islands of Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro – a lot of people are leaving these islands and now I think they will think again that there is something there for them on their own island.”
The strategy for reviving crop and livestock production to supply food locally was completed late last month and ties in with the current economic development strategy being completed at the same time which encourages locals to produce and consume locally grown food for a healthy lifestyle and economic growth.
Each of the four islands will have its own four year production strategy to maximise the benefits to growers and farmers and the flow-on effects to the economy.
Every year around $2.7 million worth of fruit and vegetables are imported and only a ‘handful’ of local growers are supplying the tourism and local market.
The new project aims to reduce the amount spent on imports and have local retailers buying local produce instead, thereby increasing the funds in the local economy.
Wigmore says the project makes sense because the islands make up over 50 percent of the land mass of the entire country.
“When you put them all together the land mass is quite huge compared to Rarotonga and Aitutaki which is only one-third (35 percent of the country’s land mass),” says the minister.
Land may be plentiful, but human resources are not, admits Wigmore.
Altogether the islands have a combined population of about 1200 people – according to the 2006 census 654 people were living in Mangaia – a huge decline from its 1996 population of 1108.
With all four islands experiencing severe depopulation, there are at least two options proposed by government to address the workforce issue.
The first of these is to allow the island’s government employees to use part of their work day for cultivating their own or other farmer’s crops. The majority of people in employment in these islands are in the public service.
The other option which has initially been seen as unattractive by the island communities is to use an artificial or foreign labour force.
Government’s aim will be to work in partnership with the private sector to turn the flagging industry around over the next two years.
Aunty Mau named in New Year’s honours
Thu
31 Dec
|
|
Ngamau Munokoa OBE.
09012205
|
Just a week after resigning as a minister of the crown, Ngamau Munokoa has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.
Munokoa – or Aunty Mau as she is more commonly known – will be made an officer of the civil division of the most excellent order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to the public service and the community.
An MP for Nikao since 1996, Munokoa has served as a cabinet minister and was deputy prime minister from the end of 2003 to September 2004. She was a minister in the Jim Marurai-led government until resigning last week, along with two ministers, following the sacking of former deputy prime minister Sir Terepai Maoate.
Others recognised in the New Year’s honours list include Aitutaki nurse Tiriakau Vakapora Nicholls who has been awarded an MBE for her services to the public and community; Mangere Malo who will receive a British Empire Medal for services to the public, and Metuakore Teremoana Kora who also gets a BEM for services to the public and church.
Exports hit new low
Thu
31 Dec
Export figures hit a new low for the September quarter according to a report released by government this week.
Total exports for the September quarter were $500,000 -- the lowest export figure recorded since the $700,000 low of September 2006 according to the most recent trade information available.
This is 72 percent or $1.2 million down on the June quarter and $1 million below the same quarter last year.
According to the half yearly fiscal and economic update report published by the ministry of finance and economic management (MFEM), the bulk of the exports for the quarter were noni at 54 percent and pearl exports at 31 percent of the exports. Pearl exports were down 21.2 percent in the September quarter.
The report says Japan has dominated the export market in the September quarter. MFEM has not yet provided an explanation for the 100 percent decrease in fresh and chilled fish exports for the September quarter – which has contributed to the declining export figures even more.
Imports, on the other hand, rose significantly during the September quarter with a value of $75.2 million – 10.6 percent or $7.2 million up on the June quarter and a whopping $20 million up on the same period to September 2008.
The three main import categories for the quarter were fuels; machines, transport and equipment; manufactured goods.
MFEM puts the increase in these categories down to a direct consequence of the construction projects, such as the Telecom Sports Arena, carried out in preparation for the sporting events held this year. Included in the equipment imports are the needs of the upgrade to the airport terminal due to be completed early in the New Year.
Most of our imports in this quarter came from New Zealand (62.2 percent), followed by Fiji (17.9 percent) and Australia (6.9 percent).
Eight-year-olds break into store
Sat
2 Jan
Security officers discovered two young boys inside the CITC Mainstore just after 10pm last Monday night.
The eight-year-olds were handed over to police for interviewing where the children and their parents were questioned.
The matter is to be referred to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee.
Inspector Tere Patia said the offending is alarming due to the very young age of the boys.
“The questions that we, as police ask, is where were the parents and caregivers? Why were they not aware of the absence of their children from? Why were these kids allowed to roam the street unsupervised very late at night?” he said.
“Again, we urge parents and caregivers to pay extra attention to your children during this festive period and always be aware of their whereabouts.
“Do not wait for a phone call or a visit from police to inform you that your child has been involved in a crash or some other serious crime, or been up to mischief.”
Two other teenagers were arrested on Wednesday for contempt of court.
A 15-year-old and 16-year-old had breached their curfew conditions.
They were kept in custody overnight and were bailed to face court on January 14.
Police arrested two women accused of stealing 16 cartons of chicken from Manea Foods in Nikao.
The 28-year-old and 24-year-old were employees and the goods had been taken over a period of time.
They pleaded guilty before the court on Wednesday and will be sentenced in February.
A 19-year-old male was arrested on Wednesday night for excess breath alcohol.
He was also seen by police to be driving his motorcycle in a dangerous manner and speeding on the main road of Avatiu.
He was bailed to appear in court on January 14.
Police have issued a warning they will not tolerate any unruly behaviour of anyone trying to disrupt or break the law.
“Whether this will be on the roads or committing any criminal acts during the festive period, they will face the consequences of being arrested and charged,” inspector Patia said.
Police will be out during the festive period to ensure roads are safe and lives are not
put at risk by drunk drivers, he said.
“We will also be on patrol to ensure the community at large are protected from any criminal acts including those at the night clubs are well behaved.”
A reminder was given to everyone not to leave valuables unattended or properly
secure them away to avoid being a victim during this festive period.
Tourism marketing efforts pay off
Sat
2 Jan
Extra visitors to our shores during a six month marketing campaign injected an extra $8 million into the local economy this year according to latest estimates.
According to the half yearly fiscal and economic update report published by the ministry of finance (MFEM) this week, tourism continues to be the cornerstone of the economy, contributing over 60 percent (over $200 million) of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the nation.
The $1 million economic stimulus provided to the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation earlier this year for additional marketing in New Zealand, Australia and North America has translated into what MFEM believes was an extra $8 million injected into the economy by an increase in visitors from these markets.
“This additional spend by government to advertise and market the Cook Islands in these three major markets have resulted in very encouraging numbers to say the least. The marketing campaign affected tourist number between May and October 2009.
Comparing that period in 2009 with the same period in 2008, there were a total of 5000 extra visitors from the three markets targeted, an increase of 11.1 percent,” says the report.
During the six month period to October, it is estimated that the additional visitors added approximately $1 million to value added tax receipts.
MFEM reports marketing funds have been exhausted in New Zealand and Australia, but there are still funds to be used up in North America.
Visitors continue to choose the Cook Islands as a destination despite the effects of the economic crisis, especially on our largest tourist market of NZ.
The year to November statistics indicate that 59,136 Kiwis arrived on our shores making up the bulk (63.7 percent) of the total 2009 visitor arrivals.
Projections for this year’s visitor numbers estimate they will exceed the high of 97089 visitors recorded in 2007. In the year to November 92854 visitor arrivals were recorded, and MFEM predicts with
December still to be added to this statistic its projection of 101,177 visitors for 2009 will be met.
The report says exceptional growth has been seen especially in the Australian and North American markets.
ON THE STREET
Sat
2 Jan
|
Ngapoko Ioteva
A better year – a better political year. It’s always about politics and it’s not like it was before.
09123106
|
|
Nane Teao
Everything to change, especially with the government. What’s going on? We elect them and look what they do.
09123107
|
|
Paris Elia-Teoteo
I’m looking forward to starting year 11 – heading towards my career. Also looking forward to a fresh beginning and meeting new people. 09123108 |
|
Ulamila
Kurai-Wragg
For me, bettering myself from last year professionally, spiritually and personally.
09123109
|
|
Ron Patia
Travelling overseas for a month perhaps in Australia and go on a shopping spree.
09123110
|
|
Aumareva Aumareva
Beautiful girls and for more jobs.
09123111
|
|
John Hosking
To be closer to the family including my extended family. I’ve tried to in the previous years but it has escaped me.
09123112
|
|
Melissa
Nepeapatu
A good year and good things for my family and friends, and the new addition to our family.
09123113
|
What are you most looking forward to in 2010?
MFEM warns about debt levels
Tue
5 Jan
Government has now forecast that its spending will outstrip its revenue from the current financial year onwards with debt levels dangerously close to reaching ‘unsustainable levels’.
According to the just-released half yearly fiscal and economic update produced by the ministry of finance and economic management (MFEM), government will not be in a position to raise current taxes to increase its revenue to offset this increased spending.
The report says government will have to identify ‘extra charges’ or curtail its spending to allow government to fund ‘necessary services’.
Total government debt is estimated at $103.2 million or 32 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for the financial year ending June 30, 2010.
This is an extensive increase from the previous year where net debt stood at only $51.9 million or 16.7 percent of GDP.
MFEM says while net debt is still below the ‘Manila Ratio’ agreed to in 2001, it is now reaching unsustainable levels.
“To this end a new ratio has been developed to ensure that debt does not become problematic in the future. The new ratio states that net debt to GDP does not exceed 35 percent.”
When the $215.5 million ‘mother of all budgets’ was endorsed for the 2009-10 financial year, government was initially looking at spending $82.5 million in loans over the year to June 2010.
The increase in debt this year is attributed to the new loans from the Asian Development Bank and the People’s Republic of China.
The ADB $13.4 million loan has been supplied to provide economic stimulus required in the economy while the new $37.5 million Chinese soft loan will be used to undertake much needed infrastructure repairs on Rarotonga’s roads and water system.
By June government’s loan reserve funds will stand at $8.8 million – a reduction from previous years due to the payment of the Italian loan says the report.
“Recently it was revealed that the payment of the Italian loan was made out of general government reserves and not the loan reserve. A reconciliation of both accounts is being undertaken this financial year and the true picture of the reserves will be reported in the full year fiscal update published with the 2010/2011 budget,” states the report.
Overall, government claims to have reduced the heavy debt burden from previous administrations to ‘sustainable levels’ through the build-up of surplus funds as a result of favourable economic growth over the past few years and through prudent fiscal management. “This has changed recently, partly due to additional funding required to host the Pacific Mini Games. Government is now undertaking commercial borrowing to fund much needed improved infrastructure facilities. However, given the demands for upgrading infrastructure to facilitate continual economic growth and social activities, future debt levels must be approached cautiously,” warns MFEM.
The ministry also cautions that borrowing must include repayment funded by a user pays system wherever possible.
The full half yearly fiscal and economic update can be downloaded online at www.mfem.gov.ck
Rheumatic fever medication in short supply
Tue
5 Jan
The ministry of health is currently experiencing a shortage of an antibiotic medication used to treat patients who suffer from rheumatic fever – a serious disease that can cause permanent damage to the heart.
The ministry currently treats around 87 adults and 42 children who suffer from rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease.
Following a complaint published in Cook Islands News last week about the hospital not having the monthly injection for patients with rheumatic conditions, the ministry has revealed that the medication was automatically re-ordered in October but it has yet to confirm a supplier.
There seems to be problems sourcing the medication, with many suppliers unable to provide a fresh stock to the Cooks.
In the meantime, the hospital has been providing patients with a course of tablets that do the same job as the injected medication but have to be taken strictly as directed.
The ministry hopes to receive its new stock of the antibiotic injection very soon.
The ministry aims to provide the public with more awareness information on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart conditions following a recent regional workshop held in Auckland in November which Dr Mareta Jacob and a senior nurse attended.
The workshop aimed to help improve the prevention and treatment of rheumatic fever and heart disease in the region.
Rheumatic fever is a serious disease that can cause permanent damage to the heart valves (this is called rheumatic heart disease). A group A Streptococcal bacteria throat infection can cause a reaction which leads to rheumatic fever. Often it starts with a sore through and weeks later can lead to joint pain, tiredness, fever, or jerky movements. Heart damage can develop immediately or within just a few months and people who have had rheumatic fever can get further attacks of the illness if they are not treated.
The only way you can tell if you have group A Strep bug is for a doctor to carry out a throat swab.
Anyone can get rheumatic fever but those most at risk are: children and young people between the ages of 5 and 15 years old; people who have family with rheumatic fever, and those who share a house with a lot of people.
It is important to note that you can’t ‘catch’ rheumatic fever from another person – however ‘strep’ throats can be passed on by coughing or breathing over other people.
If one has a group A Strep bug then the doctor usually prescribes antibiotics to be taken for 10 days.
It is important to take the whole course of antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever from developing.
The group A Strep bugs can be spread by coughing and sneezing around others.
Those who develop rheumatic fever will, at the start, need to undergo blood tests and heart checks, and be put on antibiotics.
One will also need regular doctor visits and dental checks as well as monthly antibiotic injections for at least 10 years.
MFEM warns about debt levels
Tue
5 Jan
Government has now forecast that its spending will outstrip its revenue from the current financial year onwards with debt levels dangerously close to reaching ‘unsustainable levels’.
According to the just-released half yearly fiscal and economic update produced by the ministry of finance and economic management (MFEM), government will not be in a position to raise current taxes to increase its revenue to offset this increased spending.
The report says government will have to identify ‘extra charges’ or curtail its spending to allow government to fund ‘necessary services’.
Total government debt is estimated at $103.2 million or 32 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for the financial year ending June 30, 2010.
This is an extensive increase from the previous year where net debt stood at only $51.9 million or 16.7 percent of GDP.
MFEM says while net debt is still below the ‘Manila Ratio’ agreed to in 2001, it is now reaching unsustainable levels.
“To this end a new ratio has been developed to ensure that debt does not become problematic in the future. The new ratio states that net debt to GDP does not exceed 35 percent.”
When the $215.5 million ‘mother of all budgets’ was endorsed for the 2009-10 financial year, government was initially looking at spending $82.5 million in loans over the year to June 2010.
The increase in debt this year is attributed to the new loans from the Asian Development Bank and the People’s Republic of China.
The ADB $13.4 million loan has been supplied to provide economic stimulus required in the economy while the new $37.5 million Chinese soft loan will be used to undertake much needed infrastructure repairs on Rarotonga’s roads and water system.
By June government’s loan reserve funds will stand at $8.8 million – a reduction from previous years due to the payment of the Italian loan says the report.
“Recently it was revealed that the payment of the Italian loan was made out of general government reserves and not the loan reserve. A reconciliation of both accounts is being undertaken this financial year and the true picture of the reserves will be reported in the full year fiscal update published with the 2010/2011 budget,” states the report.
Overall, government claims to have reduced the heavy debt burden from previous administrations to ‘sustainable levels’ through the build-up of surplus funds as a result of favourable economic growth over the past few years and through prudent fiscal management. “This has changed recently, partly due to additional funding required to host the Pacific Mini Games. Government is now undertaking commercial borrowing to fund much needed improved infrastructure facilities. However, given the demands for upgrading infrastructure to facilitate continual economic growth and social activities, future debt levels must be approached cautiously,” warns MFEM.
The ministry also cautions that borrowing must include repayment funded by a user pays system wherever possible.
The full half yearly fiscal and economic update can be downloaded online at www.mfem.gov.ck
Rheumatic fever medication in short supply
Tue
5 Jan
The ministry of health is currently experiencing a shortage of an antibiotic medication used to treat patients who suffer from rheumatic fever – a serious disease that can cause permanent damage to the heart.
The ministry currently treats around 87 adults and 42 children who suffer from rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease.
Following a complaint published in Cook Islands News last week about the hospital not having the monthly injection for patients with rheumatic conditions, the ministry has revealed that the medication was automatically re-ordered in October but it has yet to confirm a supplier.
There seems to be problems sourcing the medication, with many suppliers unable to provide a fresh stock to the Cooks.
In the meantime, the hospital has been providing patients with a course of tablets that do the same job as the injected medication but have to be taken strictly as directed.
The ministry hopes to receive its new stock of the antibiotic injection very soon.
The ministry aims to provide the public with more awareness information on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart conditions following a recent regional workshop held in Auckland in November which Dr Mareta Jacob and a senior nurse attended.
The workshop aimed to help improve the prevention and treatment of rheumatic fever and heart disease in the region.
Rheumatic fever is a serious disease that can cause permanent damage to the heart valves (this is called rheumatic heart disease). A group A Streptococcal bacteria throat infection can cause a reaction which leads to rheumatic fever. Often it starts with a sore through and weeks later can lead to joint pain, tiredness, fever, or jerky movements. Heart damage can develop immediately or within just a few months and people who have had rheumatic fever can get further attacks of the illness if they are not treated.
The only way you can tell if you have group A Strep bug is for a doctor to carry out a throat swab.
Anyone can get rheumatic fever but those most at risk are: children and young people between the ages of 5 and 15 years old; people who have family with rheumatic fever, and those who share a house with a lot of people.
It is important to note that you can’t ‘catch’ rheumatic fever from another person – however ‘strep’ throats can be passed on by coughing or breathing over other people.
If one has a group A Strep bug then the doctor usually prescribes antibiotics to be taken for 10 days.
It is important to take the whole course of antibiotics to prevent rheumatic fever from developing.
The group A Strep bugs can be spread by coughing and sneezing around others.
Those who develop rheumatic fever will, at the start, need to undergo blood tests and heart checks, and be put on antibiotics.
One will also need regular doctor visits and dental checks as well as monthly antibiotic injections for at least 10 years.
Car goes off road at Blackrock
Tue
5 Jan
|
|
Two men are lucky to have only suffered minor injuries as their car collided with rocks on Saturday morning.
10010402
|
Only one car accident was reported during the New Year with a vehicle hurtling into rocks at Blackrock on Sunday morning.
A Toyota Levin was heading towards Arorangi around 5am when the male driver – a Cook Islander from Australia – lost control at the bend on the main road at Blackrock.
The 26-year-old suffered abrasions and cuts to his knee and leg while his sole passenger sustained a cut to his mouth when his face hit the windscreen. Both received treatment at hospital.
Police believe the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. Alcohol is also believed to be involved.
Police are still investigating the matter and are waiting on blood alcohol results before deciding if charges are to be laid.
Foreign aid increases
Tue
5 Jan
Foreign aid has increased by 43.8 percent over the last financial year to around $30 million this year.
According to government’s half yearly fiscal and economic update released last week, the increase in aid for the current financial year to June 2010 is due to the new Air New Zealand- Los Angeles flight subsidy of $1 million, an education funding increase of $2.6 million, the $4.2 million increase in outer island development funding, extra Chinese support for the Pacific Mini Games worth $1.6 million and an increase in aid from the EU of $4.4 million.
New portfolios allocated to ministers
Wed
6 Jan
|
Jim Marurai |
|
Robert Wigmore |
|
Wilkie Rasmussen |
|
William Heather Jnr |
|
Apii Piho |
The ministers of the country’s new five-member cabinet were allocated their responsibilities within government yesterday with Wilkie Rasmussen scoring the key finance portfolios.
Rasmussen said he was happy to be allocated the responsibilities of the finance and economic management portfolio as he had requested.
Prime minister Jim Marurai flew back from his brief New Year’s break in Mangaia on Monday and straight into yesterday’s meeting with Rasmussen, deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore and William ‘Smiley’ Heather.
The third new minister, Apii Piho is expected to return from his New Zealand holiday later in the week.
Marurai holds onto his key portfolios of police and education, deciding to take on the three additional responsibilities of the national environment service, ombudsman and broadcasting.
Wigmore now holds what is considered the bulk of the portfolios - as was the case with his predecessor Sir Terepai Maoate.
The new DPM has kept the ministry of agriculture, marine resources, tourism and culture allocated to him last year and taken on foreign affairs and the hefty Cook Islands Investment Corporation responsibilities which include the state-owned enterprises of power company Te Aponga Uira and the Airport Authority.
Rasmussen has taken on seven finance portfolios – the most notable being the ministry of finance and economic management – as well as the pearl authority.
He is also the country’s new attorney-general. All his new portfolios had previously been held by former deputy prime minister and finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate who was unceremoniously sacked from cabinet just before Christmas.
This latest development could be seen as quite the political ‘twist of fate’ given that Sir Terepai and Rasmussen had been at serious odds in cabinet over the country’s controversial financial decisions until Rasmussen was booted out last July.
Meanwhile, Piho has been allocated the social sector focused responsibility of justice, health, internal affairs and youth and sports, and Heather prepares to take on the challenge of the busy infrastructure and planning ministry.
The portfolio allocations were to be formalised yesterday by the receipt of formal letters by the ministers from Marurai.
Today the new cabinet is expected to meet formally for the first time.
By next week the ministers are due to settle into their new offices. Wigmore will move to the complex behind the Banana Court previously occupied by former DPM Sir Terepai, Rasmussen will move into the office by the ministry of justice previously occupied by former minister Tangata Vavia, Piho will have his office located just across from home at the Tupapa office behind public health formerly occupied by Kete Ioane, and Heather will take over former minister Ngamau Munokoa’s office in Nikao by the golf club.
Tough times ahead: Wilkie
Wed
6 Jan
Cabinet minister Wilkie Rasmussen -- now the new finance minister -- has warned the country faces difficult times ahead as government struggles to curb its spending in the face of falling revenues.
He has vowed to put in ‘maximum effort’ in managing the financial affairs of the nation saying that the level of borrowing has also increased enough to cause future hardship.
Rasmussen was allocated the key finance portfolios at an ‘informal meeting’ with prime minister Jim Marurai and other ministers to decide their responsibilities for ministries and agencies yesterday.
“I am very happy to be given the finance and economic management portfolio as I asked for it specifically because I believe that it is the key portfolio in government. I believe and my colleagues in cabinet have agreed that as minister of finance, I must devote a lot of time in managing the nation’s financial affairs.”
“It appears that we are facing a difficult period where our revenue is less than our expenditure and our borrowing has increased to a level that will cause hardship for us,” Rasmussen told Cook Islands News yesterday.
The minister now takes on seven finance portfolios including the national superannuation scheme and the commerce commission as well as the role of chief legal advisor for the nation as the new attorney-general.
“I have kept my ministerial portfolios to a minimum to give maximum effort to managing our financial and economic affairs,” he says.
Rasmussen, who is MP for Penrhyn has also taken on the role of minister of the pearl authority. The minister is expected to move into his new office beside the ministry of justice, previously occupied by former cabinet minister Tangata Vavia, by next week.
Rheumatic fever medication problem causes upset
Wed
6 Jan
The recent shortage of the antibiotic injection for rheumatic fever patients prompted one local to send his 11 year old granddaughter to New Zealand for treatment last week.
She was seen by a doctor at Auckland’s Starship Hospital – the same hospital that has now advised Rarotonga hospital to use an alternative injectable antibiotic for the condition which it has in stock.
Last month Rarotonga Hospital had run out of supplies of the Benzathyne antibiotic which rheumatic fever patients must have injected every month.
Charlie Tetevano says he made the decision to send his granddaughter to New Zealand for her monthly injection after being told by a doctor at Rarotonga hospital that the girl would have to take a course of tablets instead of her usual shot of Benzathyne. The tablets have, until now, been used as a substitute for the shot.
Tetevano claims that the hospital pharmacy told him they had no stocks of the tablet and that he would have to purchase them from the pharmacy in town. He says he bought the tablets which cost around $13 but later decided to seek treatment for his granddaughter in New Zealand.
“I’m worried about parents who can’t afford to buy medication too. There are many people suffering from rheumatic conditions here,” says Tetevano.
The ministry currently treats around 87 adults and 42 children who suffer from rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease.
Tetevano believes the ministry of health should be providing better health care so locals don’t have to seek treatment overseas.
It now seems the costly trip to New Zealand for treatment for his granddaughter could have been avoided had the hospital used the alternative antibiotic suggested by Starship Hospital.
Director of hospital health services Heather Webber-Aitu said the hospital was investigating Tetevano’s claims and how the hospital handled the young girl’s medical treatment.
Webber-Aitu says Starship Hospital has advised the hospital to use a similar antibiotic which they have in stock to provide a shot for rheumatic fever treatment. She says extra supplies of Benzathyne have also been found in Aitutaki and flown to Rarotonga.
In the meantime the ministry is waiting for a fresh supply of the antibiotic.
New portfolios allocated to ministers
Wed
6 Jan
The ministers of the country’s new five-member cabinet were allocated their responsibilities within government yesterday with Wilkie Rasmussen scoring the key finance portfolios.
Rasmussen said he was happy to be allocated the responsibilities of the finance and economic management portfolio as he had requested.
Prime minister Jim Marurai flew back from his brief New Year’s break in Mangaia on Monday and straight into yesterday’s meeting with Rasmussen, deputy prime minister Robert Wigmore and William ‘Smiley’ Heather.
The third new minister, Apii Piho is expected to return from his New Zealand holiday later in the week.
Marurai holds onto his key portfolios of police and education, deciding to take on the three additional responsibilities of the national environment service, ombudsman and broadcasting.
Wigmore now holds what is considered the bulk of the portfolios - as was the case with his predecessor Sir Terepai Maoate.
The new DPM has kept the ministry of agriculture, marine resources, tourism and culture allocated to him last year and taken on foreign affairs and the hefty Cook Islands Investment Corporation responsibilities which include the state-owned enterprises of power company Te Aponga Uira and the Airport Authority.
Rasmussen has taken on seven finance portfolios – the most notable being the ministry of finance and economic management – as well as the pearl authority.
He is also the country’s new attorney-general. All his new portfolios had previously been held by former deputy prime minister and finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate who was unceremoniously sacked from cabinet just before Christmas.
This latest development could be seen as quite the political ‘twist of fate’ given that Sir Terepai and Rasmussen had been at serious odds in cabinet over the country’s controversial financial decisions until Rasmussen was booted out last July.
Meanwhile, Piho has been allocated the social sector focused responsibility of justice, health, internal affairs and youth and sports, and Heather prepares to take on the challenge of the busy infrastructure and planning ministry.
The portfolio allocations were to be formalised yesterday by the receipt of formal letters by the ministers from Marurai.
Today the new cabinet is expected to meet formally for the first time.
By next week the ministers are due to settle into their new offices. Wigmore will move to the complex behind the Banana Court previously occupied by former DPM Sir Terepai, Rasmussen will move into the office by the ministry of justice previously occupied by former minister Tangata Vavia, Piho will have his office located just across from home at the Tupapa office behind public health formerly occupied by Kete Ioane, and Heather will take over former minister Ngamau Munokoa’s office in Nikao by the golf club.
- Helen Greig
Ministerial portfolio allocations (as of January 5):
Jim Marurai – PRIME MINISTER
Office of the Prime Minister
National Sustainable Development Plan
Information & Technology
Telecommunications
Information Technology
Ministry of Education
National Human Resources Department
Office of the Head of State
Police Department
Public Service Commission
National Environment Service
Natural Heritage
Suwarrow Development
Ombudsman
Broadcasting
Robert Wigmore – DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Tourism Cook Islands
Agriculture
Marine Resources
Cultural Development
Historic Places Trust
Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Minerals and Natural Resources
Cook Islands Investment Corporation
Ports Authority
Airport Authority
Bank of the Cook Islands
Te Aponga Uira
Business Trade and Investment Board
Wilkie Rasmussen
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management
Financial Intelligence Unit
Financial Services Development Authority
Financial Supervisory Commission
PERCA (Public Expenditure Review Committee and Audit)
Attorney General
Commerce Commission
National Superannuation
Pearl Authority
Apii Piho
Justice
Health
Internal Affairs
Youth & Sports
Non Government Organisations
William Heather Jnr
Infrastructure & Planning
Transport
Civil Aviation
Shipping
Energy
Liquor Licensing Authority
Parliamentary Services
House of Ariki & Koutu Nui
|
