TINO PAI
PODCAST

New Zealand offers a range of public health services designed to promote well-being, prevent illness, and provide care. Here are several key public health services available:

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1. Primary Healthcare (GP Services)
   - General Practitioners (GPs) provide primary medical care, including consultations, prescriptions, and referrals to specialists.
   - Subsidized by the government through the Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) to keep costs lower for registered patients.

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2. Public Hospitals
   - New Zealand's public hospitals provide free healthcare services for acute care, emergency treatment, surgeries, and specialist consultations.

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3. Emergency Services (Ambulance and Emergency Departments)
   - Emergency departments (ED) in public hospitals offer 24/7 urgent care. Ambulance services are available for emergencies (via 111).

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4. Immunisation Services
   - The National Immunisation Schedule** provides free vaccinations for children and adults to protect against various diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, and the flu.

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5. Maternity Services
   - Free maternity care is available to pregnant women, including care from midwives, GPs, or obstetricians during pregnancy, birth, and postnatal support.

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6. Mental Health Services
   - Free and confidential mental health services are provided through District Health Boards (DHBs) and include counseling, crisis intervention, and psychiatric care.
   - Specialised services include Youthline, Lifeline, and the 1737 Need to Talk? helpline.

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7. Addiction Services
   - Support for those dealing with alcohol, drug, or gambling addictions is offered through DHBs, the Alcohol Drug Helpline, and community-based organizations like Odyssey House and The Salvation Army.

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8. Sexual Health Services
   - Sexual health clinics offer free or low-cost services such as contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and counseling.

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9. Dental Care for Children
   - Free dental care is available for children and teenagers up to the age of 18 through school-based services or public dental clinics.

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10. Screening Programs
   - New Zealand offers several free screening programs, including:
     - Cervical Screening (for women aged 25–69)
     - BreastScreen Aotearoa (mammograms for women aged 45–69)
     - Bowel Screening (for adults aged 60–74)

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11. Quit Smoking Services
   - Quitline provides free support, advice, and nicotine replacement therapies to help people quit smoking.

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12. Family Planning
   - Family Planning Clinics offer free or subsidised sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception, pregnancy testing, and counseling.

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13. Public Health Campaigns
   - Ongoing public health campaigns, such as Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) and Smokefree Aotearoa, aim to improve the population’s overall health through education and lifestyle support.

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14. Disability Support Services
   - Various support services are available for people with disabilities, including equipment, support workers, and home modifications, often subsidised by the Ministry of Health.

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15. Immunisation for COVID-19 and Flu
   - Free vaccines for COVID-19 and seasonal flu are available, especially for high-risk groups, through GPs, pharmacies, and vaccination centres.

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These services are primarily provided through the public health system and are often free or subsidised for eligible residents.