New Zealand's Associate Minister of Health hopes his ministry's scholarships can help address Pacific underrepresentation in the health sector.
Aupito William Sio, who is also the Minister for Pacific Peoples, called on Pacific students studying health or disability-related courses to apply now.
Photo: Jogai Bhatt
He said the scholarships acknowledge the vital role Pacific people play in the health workforce which he says was visible through the dedicated response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Auckland region.
Aupito said while the 2018 census counted just over eight percent of New Zealand residents were of Pacific origin, the health and disability workforce continued to be an area where they are underrepresented.
The Ministry of Health has allocated $NZ1.4 million for next year's scholarships to award high-achieving Pacific students studying relevant courses.
Since 2002, when the programme started, the Ministry has awarded close to 1,800 scholarships to Pacific students studying in the areas of medicine, dentistry, nursing and midwifery, and allied health.
"I'm encouraged to hear that an estimated 20 Pacific students are expected to graduate in Medicine from the University of Otago this year", Aupito said.