Health Inequalities between Maori & Non-Maori-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Treaty of Waitangi and its implication for health care delivery in New Zealand. Answer: Introduction: The Treaty of Waitangi is the New Zealands founding document, which is an agreement between Maori and British regarding reducing health inequalities between Maori and non-Maori. For all health practitioners entering into practice in New Zealand, it is necessary for them to be aware about the Treaty of Waitangi and applying all the principles in practice. This report presents detailed discussion about the Treaty of Waitangi and its implication for health care delivery in New Zealand. A brief history of the Treaty of Waitangi The treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6th February 1840 and took its name from the Bay of Islands where it was signed. The main reason for entering into the Treaty was certain changes in New Zealand in the late 1830s. In that period, many British migrants came to New Zealand for extended settlements and unruly behavior and atrocities became common. They gradually realized that annexing the country would secure their commercial operations. Due to this motive of British, violence and lawlessness became common and James Busby, the British resident could do little to control the situation. As other foreign powers also started taking an interest in New Zealand, the British engages in the activity of securing British sovereignty over New Zealand (New Zealand History, 2017).Hence, due to this reason, the Treaty was translated into Maori overnight and signed on 6th February. The four cornerstones of Maori health To promote health inequity between the Maori and other population, the Treaty of Waitangi proposed four corner stone of Maori health. It is a model for better understanding of Maori health and it consists of the following major components: Wh?nau(Family health): Understanding the family health component is important because family is a source that can both contribute to illness as well as assist in recovery from illness. Hence, link with ancestors and relationship with them in the past, present and the future can help to understand the cause of Maori health issues. Tinana (Physical health): This is the most important component for care which means understanding individuals physical growth and development. Hence, good physical health is one aspect of health and well-being and understanding elements that support Maori in physical health is necessary to reduce health inequity. Hinengaro (Mental health): To promote overall health and well-being, the mental health component is an important component as thoughts and feelings are integral aspect of body and soul. Understanding the feelings and emotions of Maori is necessary for proper care planning. Wairua (Spiritual health): Faith and spiritual aspects comprise the life force of certain individuals and analysis of spiritual health can help in analysis of physical manifestation of illness in individuals (Ministry of Health NZ, 2017). The three principles of the Treaty of Waitangi The Treaty of Waitangi also emphasized on the three principles of partnership, participation and protection. It defines the relationship that the Government have with the Maoris. The principles are important to bridge the gap between the Maori and the English. The details about the three principles are as follows: Partnership: This principle defines working together with iwi, hapu, whanua (family) and Maori community to develop strategies for Maori health and involve them in decision making and curriculum development. Participation: It involves engaging Maori in health care sectors for planning and delivery of services. Protection: Protection is the role of Government to reduce health disparities between Maori and non-Maori and maintain equal health of all. It comprises safeguarding and protecting Maori in terms of cultural concept, value and practices (Ministry of Health NZ, 2017). A brief discussion of the implications the Treaty of Waitangi has on healthcare delivery in New Zealand The Treaty of Waitangi has many positive implications for the health care delivery in New Zealand. This can said because Maori is the main indigenous group living in New Zealand and their health status varies due to difference historical, social and political circumstances from that of non-Maori. Evidence has proved about the health disparities between Maoris and non-Maori, hence for health care profession, addressing disparities during delivery of care is most important (Reid, Taylor-Moore Varona, 2014). Hence, with the proper understanding about the four cornerstone of Maori health, health care professional can better understand the social determinants of health of Maori and understand the factors that contribute to health disparities in them. Therefore, health care professional can use the three principles to identify health promotion strategies in the context of people living in Aotearoa. It will enable realization of aspiration of Maori and incorporating their preference during delivery of health. It will also help staffs to provide safe and competent care to the people of New Zealand (Wepa, 2015).The treaty is highly linked to cultural safety and it informs regarding inherent components needed to achieve positive health outcome for Maori. Application of Treaty of Waitangi in physiotherapy practice If I am granted registration in New Zealand for physiotherapy practice, I will use the fours cornerstone of the Treaty of Waitangi as a guide to understand different socio-cultural factors that has an impact on Maori Health. Hence, while interacting with Maori people, my focus will be on proper communication with them to understand family health issues or spiritual or cultural factors that contributes to their health problems. I will also use the fours cornerstone to plan the proper way by which care and treatment can be delivered without any resistance from Maori (Cram, 2014). Maori are often found to stay away from health care service despite illness. I aim to use the Treaty of Waitangi to help them understand the importance of health care consultation in the early phase to prevent complications and morbidity. The document will be a useful guideline for me to promote health of Maori and encourage them to engage in health care decision making by education about the importance of hea lth and well-being for holistic development. The four corner stone will also support me in identifying the barrier to receiving physiotherapy for Maori and planning effective strategies to motivate Maori people to use the services. Conclusion: From the above report, the history and purpose of Treaty of Waitangi has been clearly understood. As a health care professional, proper understanding about the principles and models mentioned in the treaty will enable delivery of safe and competent care. As a physiotherapist, this knowledge will be useful in reducing health inequities and promoting Maori participation in health care delivery. References Cram, F. (2014). Improving M?ori access to health care: Research report.Wellington: Ministry of Health. Ministry of Health NZ. (2017). M?ori health models Te Whare Tapa Wh?. Retrieved 16 December 2017, from https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/maori-health-models/maori-health-models-te-whare-tapa-wha Ministry of Health NZ. (2017). Treaty of Waitangi principles. Retrieved 16 December 2017, from https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/he-korowai-oranga/strengthening-he-korowai-oranga/treaty-waitangi-principles New Zealand History (2017).The Treaty in brief - The Treaty in brief | NZHistory, New Zealand history online. Nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 16 December 2017, from https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/the-treaty-in-brief Reid, J., Taylor-Moore, K., Varona, G. (2014). Towards a social-structural model for understanding current disparities in Maori health and well-being.Journal of Loss and Trauma,19(6), 514-536. Wepa, D. (Ed.). (2015).Cultural safety in Aotearoa New Zealand. Cambridge University Press