Source: University of Otago
Leina Isno promoting her clinic.
A dedicated group of staff and students from the University of Otago have supported the only Pacific health provider in Dunedin in order to establish vaccination clinics for people of the Moana.
As vaccinations became increasingly prioritised across the nation, Division of Sciences Associate Dean (Pacific) Dr Losa Moata’ane took on the role of Project Lead for a vaccination clinic with Pacific Trust Otago.
“We were in a unique position because there were no cases in the South Island during this outbreak,” Dr Moata’ane explains.
“I saw this as our window of opportunity to get people vaccinated.”
Concerned about the welfare of her wider community, Dr Moata’ane used her network to generate resources that would bring people of the Moana to their clinic.
Gifts of thanks left outside the Pacific Trust Otago vaccination clinic.
“As Pacific we come together when it matters, and we know what our roles are without being told when it comes to our community.”
For Dr Moata’ane, checking in on the welfare of her students during lockdown was heavily prioritised at her clinic.
“When our students would come to us, we’d ask them, ‘how’s your power bill? How’s your flat? Do you have food’?
“We provided a whanauora assessment as well as the jab.”
Registered nurse, masters student, and international delegate for Red Cross Leina Isno was the Clinical Lead at the vaccination site.
Her role involved anything from ensuring a smooth and safe clinical process to “standing on roadsides to advertise the vaccination clinic”.
She says people of the Moana are often more vulnerable and “need extra care and protection” due to poorer health outcomes.
“Our clinics have provided an opportunity for both Pasifika and non-Pasifika to be vaccinated in the Pacific way. This is something we will continue to do until all eligible Pasifika in our district have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated.”
“Our Pacific people wanted a space where we can come together, speak the dialect, not be rushed, and see a familiar face,” she says.
Meanwhile, in Oamaru, Otago public health student Jane Taafaki was Lead Navigator for the Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group (OPICG) vaccination initiative, after volunteering at one of its clinics.
Miss Taafaki was mainly involved with clinic logistics but found herself helping across all operations, from “controlling the flow of people getting vaccinated” to “serving them tea and a scone” at the other end.
“They are long days but always full of awesome community spirit and fun,” she says.
She is proud of the positive reception the service has received from patients.
“We have music going, great refreshments and a friendly atmosphere that really appeals to everyone,” she says.
Miss Taafaki has also kept busy training other vaccinators from the Moana in order to build the Oamaru community health workforce.
“We have almost completed their training and they will be ready to deliver vaccinations at our clinics in a matter of weeks.”
The OPICG clinics are not just for the Pacific community.
“Our clinics have provided an opportunity for both Pasifika and non-Pasifika to be vaccinated in the Pacific way.
“This is something we will continue to do until all eligible Pasifika in our district have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated.”
Kōrero by Keilah Fox, Communications Adviser (Pacific)
