September 19, 2017
Labour sets it’s sights on ending rheumatic fever
Labour’s Hauraki Waikato candidate Nanaia Mahuta says setting a target for the elimination of rheumatic fever will allow people to hold the politicians to account.
Launching the target in south Auckland at the weekend, Party leader Jacinda Ardern said National had failed to meet its target because it focused on swabbing children and not enough rather than making housing warm, dry and affordable.
Ms Mahuta says it’s a disease that affects mainly Maori and Pasifika children, especially in south Auckland, and there is no justification for letting the epidemic flourish in recent years.
"Labour did sponsor a rheumatic fever initiative run out of Counties Manukau DHB spread across south Auckland and it was cut during National's time in government. Our emphasis on better housing to reduce overcrowding, improve affordability, have warm, safe, healthy homes is going to help this initiative. So I think we can do it," she says.
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