ProCare proudly took community health and wellbeing to another level over the weekend at the ProCare Healthy Village Action Zone (HVAZ) Health Expo.

After months of lockdown and isolation due to COVID-19, the health expo was an opportunity for our health providers to take the services to our community of Pacific church partners, whānau and friends to have various health checks and improve their health literacy in a local venue. Over 400 people participated on Saturday, from young tamariki to our matua members including one that was 78 years old. It was a real family affair.

Bindi Norwell, CEO at ProCare, attended the event on Saturday, “It was fantastic to see so many health providers all working together to provide care for our community. There was a great buzz in the room as people moved around the various stalls, asked questions, and really got to understand their health needs.”

“The great turnout is a testament of the great relationship that Masuisui, our Project Coordinator has with our HVAZ churches and service providers” says Viv Pole, Senior Advisor – Pacific Health. The services and agencies that attended were specifically selected to address Pacific health priorities. There was tremendous support from a range of health providers who collaborated for collective impact - Diabetes NZ, Arthritis NZ, Garden4Health, Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ, Time to Screen (bowel screening, cervical screening), Ready Steady Quit, Ara Hauora, ADHB/HVAZ, Variety, flu and COVID vaccinations.

Masuisui Sam Partsch, Pacific Project Coordinator for ProCare HVAZ and organiser of the expo, said “Events like this organised by Pasifika people, for Pasifika people are a great way to create a safe space for our community. We saw whole families visit several different health professionals based on their needs, and leave feeling like they understood their health ‘numbers’ better. Our community were excited to take ownership of their health and wellbeing, and this expo was a way for them to access several different services at once.”

Tui Makoare-Iefata, Ara Hauora Lead, was blown away by the event, “You could see, hear and feel the leadership from the church community promoting Healthy Village Action Zones. The people, the vibe, the intention from every individual to pursue their own well-being journey and bring their aiga with them - I absolutely loved every minute!”

More events are planned in the future, keep an eye out on ProCare’s Facebook page for more information.