Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 42

via RNZ Pacific 

The death toll from Samoa's measles epidemic has risen to 79, as a State of Emergency is extended in the country.

As medical staff continue to work around the clock, and the country welcomes international aid, there is a host of people preparing meals and care packs for those affected.

"The hospitals, they give the patients three meals a day, but we also wanted to help the families as well because you know there's a mum and a dad - the hospital can only feed so many," Eka Arp told Checkpoint's Alex Perrottet and Logan Church.

She and her volunteers have been hard at work preparing meals for families of those hospitalised with measles.

Her cousin Apu's home in Apia has been converted into an industrial kitchen to cater for all the need.

"Because we've gotten so many donations and we don't want anything to go off, we get teams of volunteers to come in and chop and pack, so we can freeze all the vegetables we have," Ms Arp said.…more

Va’asilifiti Moelagi Jackson - pioneer, leader, humanitarian dubbed the #QueenOfSavaii

The Norwegians Emergency Medical Team is spending their Christmas and New Years away from loved ones.

Even though they're away from home, the team would have loved to stay on for at least a month longer, says Team Leader Anne Marie Bruu. “We remain in high spirits because we believe in our cause and we want to help Samoa.”

"Spending the holidays in Samoa is also the Norwegian EMT’s way of showing our appreciation to our local hosts who have welcomed us despite the crisis,” she added “We feel right at home,” says the Logistic specialist.…more

Ms Epati, 43, who ascended to the presidency of the Law Society in April this year, was named by legal news website LawFuel as the Lawyer of the Year for the impact her elevation has had on the profession.

Gisborne-based criminal lawyer Ms Epati  is the first Pasifika president of the Society, reflecting both the changing nature and face of the profession and the ‘fresh voice’ that lawyers other than mainstream  legal figures bring, said LawFuel publisher John Bowie.

The award, sponsored by Staedtler pens, is provided to the lawyer who has had the greatest impact upon the profession in the year.

In an exclusive interview with LawFuel, Ms Epati said the Law Society had made an error in ensuring that Maori and Pacifica voices were not “front and centre” of the Metoo debate that enveloped the profession.…more

Celebrating the life of Va'asilifiti Moelagi Jackson, mother, grandmother, matai, innovator,  fearless leader and a woman who made her mark on the world in so many different ways.

She was a dancer who danced her way into the hearts of many. 
And a knowledge holder of fa'asamoa and the age old rituals and arts of the Pacific, she shares her beautiful stories here..

Rest In Alofa Va'asilifiti, as you siva your way across the stars xxx 

Move over Marvel. Brown Superheroes are about to take over the world - and the imaginations of Pacific young people.

The Pasifika Heroes book set is the latest release by South Auckland-based teacher and author David Riley that caters to a growing need of Pasifika literature in New Zealand.

The four-book set features more than 100 inspirational stories of Pacific achievers from legend, history and today in a bid to help encourage young people to read more and to aspire to their dreams.

“It was always difficult to find books that my students wanted to read about,” says Riley.  “I want Pacific young people to read more so that their literacy levels are just as good as anyone else’s and that they are reading stories they can connect with.”

According to a 2017 report published by Pasifika Futures, New Zealand’s Pacific peoples are a diverse and dynamic group with the fastest growing young population.

Almost half of this population are under 20 years of age and Pacific families have more children than any other ethnic group in New Zealand.…more

Another two children under the age of 5 have passed away in Samoa in the last 24 hours bringing the total of measles related deaths to 75.

The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 5,331 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.  There were 64 recorded in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 129 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.  Of this, 104 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 2 at Poutasi District Hospital, 2 at Lalomanu District Hospital, 13 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 1 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH) 4 at Foailalo DH 1 in Sataua and 2 at Safotu District Hospital.  Admissions include 16 critically ill children in ICU/HDU.

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,704.  Of that, 1,500 (88%) patients have been discharged and the Samoan Govn says that approximately 93% of all eligible people in Samoa have been vaccinated against measles.…more

The United Kingdom Government confirmed last week that a second UK aid-funded Emergency Medical Team (UK EMT) of 14 British medics has been deployed to Samoa to tackle the deadly measles outbreak and arrived in Samoan on Sunday.

The first team flew out from the UK on 29th November and has been working for two weeks in Samoa to help people suffering from the virus. The second team have replaced this team and will be working 12 hour shifts over Christmas to treat critically ill children in Samoa’s national hospital in Apia.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said "I want to thank those British medics in the South Pacific for their dedication, especially at this time of year, for working so hard to tackle this deadly outbreak and treat those who are infected.…more

After the intensive two day vaccination curfew in Samoa, the Island is said to now have 89% coverage against the measles following the door-to-door nationwide vaccination campaign. 

The National Emergency Operation Centre has released the latest report showing targets achieved and moving rapidly towards the 100% coverage.

Around 120 mobile teams travelled the islands to administer the MMR vaccination in efforts to contain the virus that has claimed the lives of 65 people to date.

Mobile vaccination teams reported they had covered between 200-300 individuals over the two days, including many women over 35 and men over 19. 

The Prime Minister told the media that preliminary vaccinated numbers in Samoa were expected to be “between thirty and forty thousand” 

There were, however, 103 new cases of measles reported since Friday, Samoa’s Health Ministry said it a statement.…more