6 May 2013
NZMA welcomes extra rheumatic fever funding
The New Zealand Medical Association welcomes the extra funding to fight rheumatic fever announced this morning by Health
Minister Tony Ryall.
“Along with vaccine research and an awareness campaign aimed at improving health literacy, it’s particularly pleasing to
see the investment in improving housing and extra funding for sore throat drop-in clinics,” says NZMA Chair Dr Paul
Ockelford.
“The evidence, including recent articles in the New Zealand Medical Journal, emphasises that addressing the effects of
crowding, poverty, and disparities in access to primary care are all needed to eliminate rheumatic fever. The measures
and extra finding announced today by the Government will contribute to reducing the prevalence of this disease that so
badly affects the most vulnerable in our society.”
ends