With the recent heavy rain and flooding in many areas on Rarotonga, the Public Health Department would like to encourage the public to take extra precautions to avoid any unnecessary health issues caused by the flooding such as diarrhoea and increased risk of mosquito borne diseases. There is a possibility that the flood water could…
Check if it’s chickenpox The Ministry of Health would like to advise the general public that chickenpox virus is circulating within the community. Chickenpox is a highly contagious, common childhood disease that causes an itchy rash of blisters and a fever. The rash occurs about 10 to 12 days after coming into contact with someone…
There have been a lot of issues related to the burning of plastics and tyres in the community. Local media have reported cases over the past few months. These cases in large part have been addressed by the Public Health Department but people are still continuing to carry out this unwarranted activity. Burning of plastics…
Mental Health in the Cook Islands has been an evolving conversation point which has become a priority- first with the Mental Health Regulations 2013 then with the National Mental health and well-being policy 2015. This was subsequently followed by the National mental health and well-being strategy. One of the major issues that has been highlighted…
Women and Diabetes World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws…
Mrs Elizabeth Iro, Secretary for Cook Islands Ministry of Health has been appointed as the new Chief Nurse for the World Health Organization (WHO). Mrs Iro’s appointment was announced during the Sixty-Eighth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific by the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “I am very honoured and…
This year we celebrate world mental health day 2017 and the theme of –Mental health in the workplace. Below is some information on this year’s theme: Key facts: Work is good for mental health but a negative working environment can lead to physical and mental health problems. Harassment and bullying at work are commonly reported…
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands, 30 August 2017 – Health ministers from 20 Pacific island countries and areas today took important steps towards realizing their vision of Healthy Islands and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, as the 12th Pacific Health Ministers Meeting concluded in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Ministers endorsed the Healthy Islands monitoring framework and adopted…
The Cook Islands is pleased to be hosting the 12th Pacific Health Ministers Meeting, and warmly welcomes our Delegates, Observers, and also our friends and family in the Cook Islands. This year marks the twelfth Pacific Health Ministers Meeting and over the next couple of days we will discuss, deliberate and develop a consensus view…
Traditional leaders Members of Parliament Religious leaders His Excellency Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Henry Puna Acknowledging the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who is unable to be with us today. WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Shin Young-soo Director General of the Pacific Community, Dr Colin…