Healthcare System in New Zealand

Running head: HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 1
Health care System in New Zealand
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HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 2
Component one
Task 1
The health care system of New Zealand has been successful in addressing various health
issues and ensuring better living conditions for the entire population in the country. The minister
of health through the ministry of health has led to the proper functioning of the health care
system. The Minister gets support from the National Health Board, National Health committee,
Health Workforce New Zealand and other agencies. All the agencies are accountable to the
ministry of health (Public Health Surveillance, 2014).
The New Zealand health strategy 2000 helps government recognize various health issues
of the population, especially where immediate attention is required.it also gives the framework
for all the organizations in the health care system. Some of these organizations are; District
Health Board (DHBs), Crown Entities and agencies, non- governmental organizations, Public
health units, National Ambulance sector and Primary health organizations(PHOs). Some of the
agencies that support the promotion of health in New Zealand are Health Quality and
Commission (HQSC), Health Benefits Limited (HBL), Health and Disability Commissioner
(HDC), New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
and PHARMAC. The non-governmental organizations (NGOs) accept funding from the ministry
of health to offer support in mental health, disability support services. These NGOs are not for
profit making but rather to provide service and better health to the population in general. They
provide services without discrimination. They prepare for the proper functioning of all the health
services and encourage those with a disability to join the mainstream of society. They try to
remove discrimination in the provision of health services among the Maori and other similar

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 3
population groups (Arnold, Boggs, 2011). The Public Health Units (PHUs) concentrate on the
environmental health of the population, management of communicable diseases, smoking
cessation and other public health issues.
The National Ambulance Sector Office (NASO) offers Emergency Ambulance Services
(EAS) such as Emergency Road Ambulance Services (ERAS) and Emergency Air Ambulance
Services (EAAS). Primary Health Organizations receive funding from DHBs and work in the
communities to provide better health to the people. The District Health Boards are for the
betterment of public health. They are established by the New Zealand Public Health and
Disability Act of 2000. There are 20 DHBs in all over the country, with a separate administrative
board in each DHB which comprise of 11 members to do administration. 4 of these 11 members
are appointed by the ministry of health, and the other seven members are elected by the public
after every 3rd year. The boards are responsible for forming strategies and observing the
performance of all DHBs.
The main objectives of DHBs according to New Zealand Public Health and Disability
Act 2000 are; improve, guard and encourage the health of the public without any discrimination.
They also encourage the incorporation of different health services mainly primary and secondary
health care organizations. They do all the health preparation for the successful functioning of
various health services to meet the health needs of all the individuals in the country. They try to
remove health inequality of the Maori people and others other similar populations by promoting
their health. DHBs demonstrate a sense of social commitment by participating in the promotion
of general health of the nation.
Task 2

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM 4
New Zealand health care system treats reproductive and sexual health with great
importance. This is due to an increased number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
especially among the young population. The New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000
Section 8(1) required the Ministry of Health to form a strategy that was helpful in the provision
of health services among the population in the communities and the country in general. This is
the New Zealand Health Strategy. This was due to a continuous rise of the STIs infection among
the Maori and other populations in New Zealand. Among the affected population is mostly the
youths and the young population who are affected. These STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea,
and HIV as well as unwanted or early pregnancies. The sexual and reproductive health strategy
emphasizes the government interest to ensure proper reproductive health to the entire country’s
population, through the ministry of health and other organizations like DHBs that address this
issue of sexual and reproductive health (Middlemore Hospital, 2009). They sensibly utilize funds
and organize effective programs that address the issue of sexual and reproductive health. They as
well organize free health expositions and campaign to sensitize the people in the community and
the country as a whole concerning sexual and reproductive health. The ministry of health and
DHBs also work together with a good understanding to ensure quality sexual and reproductive
health of the entire country.
Chlamydia trachomatis has been one of the fastest growing sexually transmitted disease
in New Zealand. People who have chlamydia suffer from many complications including short
and long term illness, (Rose, Bromhead, Lawton, Zhang, Stanley, Baker, 2012) pelvic
inflammatory disease, infertility, and endometritis. Chlamydia is an infection that is caused by
Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. When the person is infected the disease can be in the cervix,
urethra, vagina, and rectum, it can also live in the throat. Any type of sexual contact; vaginal,