Pacific health leader slams political parties ‘predictable nonsense' on HIV prevention

Public health expert Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga has dismissed ACT Party criticism of a Health New Zealand proposal to offer free HIV prevention consultations to Māori and Pacific people as "predictable nonsense".

Asked by William Terite on Pacific Mornings whether the proposal is a win, Tukuitonga, co-director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa at the University of Auckland, says it is "a no-brainer".

"The problem we have is that politicians continue to deny solid evidence that ethnicity is an independent risk factor for a number of things, and they keep going on about, you know, it needs to be that everyone gets the same.

Listen to Sir Colin Tukuitonga's full interview below.

"I mean, that's absurd. Clearly, older people need more health care and so on, so you have to adjust it. I think Health New Zealand is doing the right thing."

Media reports Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora is considering a draft plan to subsidise consultations for HIV prevention medication by different amounts depending on ethnicity.

ACT MP Todd Stephenson has questioned why access is being determined by ethnicity rather than need.

Asked about Stephenson's challenge, Tukuitonga says it comes as no surprise, and ACT has taken the same line on access to diabetes medication.

"Clearly, he either does not understand the evidence or is conveniently overlooking it for political purposes. So, you know, predictable nonsense from the ACT Party."

Asked whether the bigger barrier for Māori and Pacific people is the cost of consultations, awareness of HIV risks or access to sexual health services, Tukuitonga says it is all of the above.

Media reports Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora is considering a draft plan to subsidise consultations for HIV prevention medication by different amounts depending on ethnicity.. Photo/RNZ/123F

"It's a complex set of issues that lead to the risks that different population groups have.”

The proposal comes as the Government prepares to extend publicly funded HIV prevention medicines to everyone in New Zealand regardless of visa status from 1 December, World AIDS Day.

Asked whether the parties are tackling the real problems in the health system with eight days to go until the election, Tukuitonga says health is getting a fair look and Labour has "probably got the best of them".

He is scathing about New Zealand First's plan.

"The so-called policy from New Zealand First just looks like an AI-generated conspiracy theory-based nonsense… They're using the right kinds of words like prevention and so on, but it's just silly."

He says National looks like it's just reacting to problems.

"But I have to say, as a public health person, I think they're all disappointing."

Labour is campaigning on three free GP visits a year through a Medicard, free prescriptions, and a job guarantee for New Zealand-trained graduate nurses..Photo/RNZ/Diego Opatowski

Tukuitonga says he would have liked to see serious money put into prevention.

"That would take the pressure off emergency departments and hospitals and our tired and chronically stressed workforce."

What the parties are promising

Labour is campaigning on three free GP visits a year through a Medicard, free prescriptions, and a job guarantee for New Zealand-trained graduate nurses.

Labour’s health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall has told PMN New Zealanders shouldn't have to wait for a healthcare crisis before the Health Minister acts.

National has pledged an extra $604 million for Pharmac, along with expanded bowel and breast screening and pilots for prostate and lung cancer screening.

Health Minister Simeon Brown says they will largely pay for it by reducing foreign aid and associated administration costs by 10 per cent, while fully protecting aid to the Pacific.

National has pledged an extra $604 million for Pharmac, along with expanded bowel and breast screening and pilots for prostate and lung cancer screening. Photo/RNZ/Gatis Gribusts

ACT has promised $400 million more for general practice over four years and two dedicated cancer centres in Auckland and Christchurch.

ACT's Tāmaki candidate James Christmas takes aim at Labour's pledge saying there's no point promising more free appointments if there aren't enough doctors to provide them.

Advance voting is open now, and election day is Saturday 7 November.