By Aroha Awarau / Pasifika Medical Association
The COVID-19 testing station in Ōtara has become one of the busiest in Auckland, with large numbers from the Pacific community getting tested since the facility opened on Saturday 4 April.
On its first day of operation, the site had the largest number of people tested in Auckland, with about 80 tests, says the chief executive of South Seas Healthcare, Lemalu Silao Vaisola-Sefo. The site, based at the Ōtara Shopping Centre carpark, has averaged around 100 tests per day.
Lemalu, who is a member of the Pasifika Medical Association, says the high numbers show the demand within the Pasifika community to get tested. He says accessibility is now less of a barrier, with additional stations in South Auckland located in Takanini and Māngere.
“For a lot of our Pasifika families, it’s about having peace of mind and making sure they are keeping their families safe. So it’s important that we are here,” he says.
The station is open every day of the week from 8am to 3pm, where the Ōtara Saturday Markets would normally operate, next to the South Seas Healthcare clinic. They have a drive-in option, where people can stay in their cars while they get tested, or they can opt to walk into the clinic. Lemalu says anyone with symptoms, like fever, coughing or high temperature, should call their doctor first. But a referral is not needed to get tested.
He says the majority of the 50 staff members, including 14 nurses, reflect the ethnic diversity of the Pacific community and speak their native language fluently. This makes the testing station very attractive for the wider Pacific community, with people coming as far as the North Shore to get tested, says Lemalu.
Lemalu adds, “We’ve structured it around our Pacific culture with Pacific staff present and our artwork on display so it’s not intimidating.”
Nicola Moetaua, of the Cook Islands, got tested through the drive-in on Saturday 4 April, after her and her father developed flu-like symptoms. Nicola says she appreciated the seamless process and the dedication shown by the staff.
“It was straight forward, and the staff were friendly and professional,” she says.
Lemalu says it takes about 2-3 working days for the results and his organisation will be working alongside partners like Pasifika Futures, to provide extra social services for those who test positive for COVID-19.
“There’s a big gap for this kind of support for our Pacific people. That’s why it’s important for us to all work together during this time,” he says.
