Samoan pastor takes lead in South Auckland, facilitating dialogue between faith and public health

Pacific Public Health (PPH) Team.
photo: RNZ Pacific / Grace Tintali-Fiavaai

Pastors from all denominations of the Samoan Church are becoming important players in the field of public health.

Pastors like Reverend Elder Victor Pouesi from Magaleisasayipuasiseyi of the Fapototoga Church of Keresia Samoa (EFKS) have long been speaking out for their communities, especially during the pandemic.

Pastor Puethi said Faifeus (Pastors) are important promoters of public health.

“The church is an important information center. Pfeiffer They are all very effective medicines.

“They are not just spiritual leaders, they are dedicated and conscientious public servants.”

More than 40 EFKS Priest (Chaplain) is working with Pacific Public Health (PPH) to address the significant healthcare challenges facing Pacific communities in South Auckland.

Themed “The Faith Project (EFKS PUASEISEI)”, the partnership aims to leverage the trusted position of church pastors to ensure that the community has timely access to adequate healthcare information.

They focused on areas such as protection, prevention, advocacy and the rollout of the new Pacific Contingency Plan.

One of the program’s main goals is to address barriers to health care faced by many in the community.

Language barriers, social isolation and financial limitations often prevent people from accessing necessary medical care.

Pastor Victor Pouesi
photo: RNZ Pacific / Grace Tintali-Fiavaai

Priscilla Toitua, senior national advisor for Pacific conservation, stressed the importance of the partnership.

“It is vital to be clear about the distinctions between public health, Pacific health and Pacific public health.

“By working closely with church leaders, we can ensure people understand these distinctions and that our community receives the care they need.”

There are more than 40 Pacific peoples in New Zealand, each with its own culture, language and history.

Some common health issues include high rates of diabetes, gout, heart disease, youth, mental health issues, skin infections, and obesity.

Pacific Public Health Director Api Poutasi said during the pandemic, Pacific churches had become central hubs for our Pacific communities.

“Working with the church is vital to our culture and life and has had some positive impacts in the past. It’s a great space for information sharing where we can discuss all aspects of health,” Putasi said.

Also present at the event was Ma’afala Limā, former principal of Malua Theological College, who is now pastor at EFKS in Otara.

RNZ Pacific asked him whether these initiatives were appropriate to trial in Samoa, given his own experiences there and the current situation in New Zealand, especially with previous outbreaks of measles and COVID.

“I believe this is the way it should be done because there are almost no projects like this near churches in Samoa,” he added.

“It mainly educates rural communities and women’s communities on public health and immunization issues and advocates for the prevention of other types of diseases entering the country.

“But there was almost no involvement from local congregations beyond the whole.”

Pastor Lima said these issues were discussed at the annual Maroua conference in Samoa.

Pacific Public Health has begun planning similar collaborations in other regions, as well as in the arts and sporting communities.

Pacific Public Health (PPH) Team.
photo: RNZ Pacific / Grace Tintali-Fiavaai