Knowing Pacific peoples were at higher risk from COVID-19, a massive effort to mobilise, test and protect Pacific communities in NZ was undertaken. Result? Highest testing rates in NZ.

Listening to @ColinTukuitonga and Dr Teuila Percival at Starship Paediatric Update /1

Dr Percival, paediatrician, is talking about how COVID-19 magnifies existing disparities. Pacific people *walked* to testing centres when they didn’t have cars (I have so much respect for this). Social work was available to provide food parcels /2

For Pacific children, online learning was challenging due to lack of devices, or sharing devices within the family, or poor internet access (and data). The educational divide is challenge. Children were afraid to return to school for fear of passing the virus to elderly family

Percival: Pacific peoples have experience in responding to disasters (eg measles epidemic), churches and church leaders have been an integral part of the successful Pacific response (not all churches are like those the media spotlights) /4

In summary - the Pacific Covid-19 response has not just been about testing - it has been *holistic*. Dr Percival says we need to build on to create an ongoing *positive* response. Pacific youth (eg Bubblegum) are leading this too. This is incredible public health work.

Just FYI - words paediatricians are using to give feedback on this talk are words like “humbling” and “inspiring”! This is not just about COVID-19 - there is a lot about this pacific response that can inspire us all to better healthcare in general. Impressive!