National health strategic plan 2023 - 2027.

The National health strategic plan serves as an update to the National Health Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021 and lays down strategies to provide accessible, affordable health care and equitable health services of the highest quality, by and for all in order to improve the health status of people living in t he Cook Islands. The timeframe of the policy is 5 years covering the period from 2023 to 2027. The goals of this policy are to: (i) support and develop the workforce of the Ministry of Health to provide quality service delivery, good governance, information and financial systems for a sustainable future; (ii) strengthen and improve community health services; (iii) ensure universal access to quality healthcare services, strengthen health system and address key health determinants; (iv) provide quality pharmacy, diagnostics, and clinical support services to meet clients' clinical needs in line with evidence-based best practice and TMO policies, and within the limitations of the resources of the Ministry; (v) work collaboratively, complement and support health partners in the implementation of agreed health related interventions and activities.
The capacity of the Ministry of Health and its staff will be enhanced to provide quality service delivery, good governance, information and financial systems for a sustainable future. The health mandate of the Ministry, including core roles and functions, will be enforced, supported and strengthened. New regulations will be developed as necessary under the new Public Health Act. New Public Health Act Implementation Plan will be approved and operationalized. The existing cooperation of health arrangements with core partners will be maintained. Financial control, coordination and monitoring of all health funding sources will be strengthened. Enhanced institutional capacity and workforce development will be supported. The resources, including legislative, regulatory and planning frameworks required for an efficient health information system, will be strengthened. The climate resilience of health facilities, particularly in the Pa Enua, will be bolstered. The use of renewable energy technologies will be in health facilities.
The health status of the public will be improved by enforcing regulations in the fields of food safety, pollution control, waste management, water quality and sanitation. School health literacy programme will be established for health promotion. The quality of clinical hospital care and services will be improved to meet the needs and expectations of the patients. Integrated primary healthcare will be promoted and boosted as the main vehicle for achieving universal health coverage and national health goals. The service availability and readiness of allied health and clinical support services, such as: pharmaceutical services and diagnostics, will be strengthened to improve quality of life of patients and communities. General support will be provided in the fields of food and nutrition, maintenance and infection prevention and control. The access to nutritious food will be ensured for hospitalized patients. Food safety and hygiene will be provided within hospital facilities. Special diets will be provided with a focus on diabetes. Pa Enua health services will be strengthened and the participation in national health care service agenda, especially on primary health care and healthy islands initiatives, will be improved.