Doctor's Claim Following New Research A Giant Step Back
| Nga Manga Puriri kaumatua, Matua Titari and Maori SIDS Taumata kaumatua, Hori Taipari in agreement that the lives and wellbeing of their mokopuna is paramount. |
The Māori SIDS team, coordinators of a national programme to reduce the rates of SUDI (Sudden and Unexpected Death of Infants) in Māori communities, refutes Dr Ed Mitchell‟s claim that findings of a Pākehā initiated enquiry makes it acceptable to alienate Māori despite their values and beliefs.
“This type of suggestion is abhorrent and consistent with Dr Mitchell‟s stand-over tactics of past years to intimidate Māori parents and caregivers, and demean Māori cultural values,” says Māori SIDS spokesperson, Herena Te Wano.
Māori SIDS continues to uphold that Dr Mitchell‟s ongoing lobby for a hardline, single, anti-bedsharing message will cause more damage than good.
Mrs Te Wano speculates, “The bedsharing debate is certainly not a new one and is designed to polarise communities. At Māori SIDS we are focused on working with communities rather than promoting this type of divisiveness.”
The Māori SIDS team is disappointed that non-Māori health researchers choose to work in isolation from Māori communities where the issue is fully blown. Māori SIDS advocates that researchers need to ensure their work is relevant to current realities such as sector and policy environments.
Mrs Te Wano asserts, “SUDI researchers really need to get a grip on current realities and how the health sector is evolving. Whānau Ora policy ensures social and health services are responsive and appropriate for Māori. Māori families should be supported to make their own decisions based on information that is reliable and culturally sound. If health research is going to be of any use to this then it should follow suit, or else this is valuable resource going down the drain.”
The Māori SIDS team take exception to the criticism which they believe indirectly targets the Māori SIDS programme and their efforts to work positively with Māori communities.
Mrs Te Wano states, “Far from a „softly, softly approach‟, I would like to inform Dr Mitchell that models of empowerment and engagement underpin the Māori SIDS philosophy to ensure the development and implementation of long-term, sustainable solutions within Māori communities. As advocates for Whānau Ora, we know and understand that Māori communities are more than able and willing to be informed and educated on complex issues that affect them, and that there are effective, appropriate and respectful ways to do this.”
Māori SIDS is pleased to announce a new partnership formalised with Ngā Manga Puriri in the Northland region. This partnership model signals a fresh, new and innovative approach undertaken by Māori SIDS in relation to working strategically with Māori leaders and communities. Māori SIDS is leading the discussions towards realising the vision – Mokopuna Ora: He Kaupapa Motuhake.
“If Whānau Ora is the approach, then healthy, vibrant mokopuna or Mokopuna Ora must be an outcome that we all must strive for,” concluded Mrs Te Wano.
The Mokopuna Ora Train the Trainer programme aims to support the increase of skills and knowledge to assist in the reduction of sudden and unexpected deaths of Māori infants, is built on kaupapa Māori strategies, and integrates mahi rāranga through the development of wahakura with evidence-based key messages.
On the new project, Ngā Manga Puriri Public Health advisor, Ms Lyndon-Tonga said,
“We are all about finding indigenous solutions to address the tragic rate of Māori babies dying of SIDS and SUDI, we believe in „Hikoi te kōrero‟ and this is a kaupapa that we are committed to supporting and walking the talk on.”
The partnership terms of agreement were signed last month at Ngunguru Marae, near Whangarei.
Contact:
Ali Ahu
Operations Assistant
Maori SIDS
Ph: 09 373 7599 ext 89856
Fax: 09 373 7030
Mobile: 027 497 7150
www.maorisids.org.nz
