The government was warned low Māori and Pasifika vaccination rates would put them at risk if they weren't a priority, now those communities are vulnerable to the highly contagious Delta variant.
Photo: 123RF
In the release of its 14th annual report, the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) found babies of Māori, Pacific and Indian mothers aged less than 20 years were still more likely than babies of NZ European mothers to die in pregnancy or within the first 28 days.
PMMRC chairperson John Tait, said among other issues highlighted, urgent action is required of DHBs and the government.
Only 60-70 percent of women have their first antenatal visit before 12 weeks, a number considered still far too low by Tait. We re putting out the challenge. DHB s should be looking at going into our local communities to make it easy for pregnant women to access a health professional in the first 12 weeks.