Community pharmacies are well-placed to step into the gaps where primary health organisations (PHOs) are struggling to meet community health needs, says the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild).

SAN DIEGO, Mar. 15 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

Results suggest increased need for quantifying patient response to clopidogrel through point-of-care testing

Wellington, March 15 NZPA - League tables showing which primary health organisations (PHOs) are doing best -- and worst -- at meeting community health needs have been released by the Ministry of Health for the first time.

The Government is determined to improve the health of Pacific people and increase their participation in the health sector, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu said today.

Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of oral cancer and the demand for oral health care, and Maori are among the worst hit, says the New Zealand Dental Association.

By Kent Atkinson of NZPA

Wellington, March 8 NZPA - Health officials are calling for pregnant women to get a seasonal flu "jab" in the next few weeks, in case of an early resurgence of swine flu.

Seasonal influenza ('flu) vaccine has arrived in New Zealand surgeries and this year more groups of New Zealanders will be able to get free flu protection.

Hawke's Bay District Health Board topped the second quarter Health Targets, released today, with its immunisation rates and bettered its performance across the board in all areas except cancer wait times where it continued to meet the 100 percent target.

C&C DHB has worked hard to show improvements (or remaining at 100%) in all but one target this quarter, despite the national Health Targets being introduced only late last year.

World Kidney Day on March 11 is being held to raise awareness of the importance of the kidney in maintaining good health.