Thursday, 20 May 2021, 2:35 pm
“The Budget’s establishment funding to enable
significant health reforms is positive news for those
wanting a more centralised, concerted national health effort
to achieve the likes of Smokefree Aotearoa,” says a
leading tobacco harm reduction advocate.
Her comments
follow Finance Minister Grant Robertson today announcing
that Budget 2021 includes funding to begin the transition
from 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to one Health New
Zealand organisation. The reforms will also establish a new
Māori Health Authority.
“All our DHBs run
successful ‘vape to quit’ smoking cessation programmes
but the commitment and resourcing varies quite a bit. As a