Fiso John, Chairman PHP and Fiso Group and Stephen Grice, Director, Rako Science.
The community health day will be run out of Pacific Health Plus (PHP), a healthcare provider in Cannons Creek, Porirua, servicing over 2500 patients, mainly of Pacific descent in the
area, at the end of March.
Rako Science, a Kiwi-owned company has the only validated and accredited COVID-19 saliva test in New Zealand. The test is based on
the University of Illinois Shield test.
“This is a very exciting partnership between a Pacific health provider operating in a community with significant health
need; a leading Kiwi-science company offering accredited, cutting-edge, easy to use, quick turnaround and high accuracy
Covid testing; and Fiso Group,” says John Fiso, chairman of Fiso Group and PHP.
“Through the partnership, we can ensure that our most vulnerable communities have access to the straightforward and
non-invasive Covid-19 test offered by Rako,” says Mr Fiso. “PHP has 2500 patients on its books and we will deliver this
test during a friendly, community health day in a culturally appropriate and approachable way.
“It is important and right that Pacific people - which represent the highest needs group in New Zealand - are the first
in line for this test.
“This Covid-19 testing initiative can be easily rolled out elsewhere.
“The supply of protective gear to PHP was very slow during lockdowns last year and we do not want to get caught out
again when it comes to testing, so we are being proactive with delivering what the community needs and deserves,” says
Mr Fiso. “In essence, we are bringing the test directly to the community, to avoid barriers to those who most need it.”
Dr Stephen Grice, Chief Science Officer, Rako Science, said: “It is exciting to see state-of-the-art science bringing
direct benefits to my friends in the Pacific community. We look forward to working with PHP to make asymptomatic
surveillance testing a reality.”