Background
Waitematā DHB promises to deliver ‘best care for everyone’ - promoting wellness, preventing, curing and ameliorating ill health and relieving suffering of those entrusted to our care. Our fast growing and aging population is the largest of any DHB in New Zealand and we do the best we can to meet its challenges, including the disease burden of long-term conditions, using the resources made available to us.
Our efforts to improve patient experience and deliver better health outcomes are ongoing and international collaboration with countries such as China helps us to enhance our capabilities in the areas of digital service transformation, clinical workforce training and joint research projects.
We are collaborating on five priority areas to benefit the population that we serve. They are:
Waitematā DHB’s visit to China
A Waitematā DHB delegation visited China in early 2017 to gain a better understanding of the Chinese health system and explore collaboration opportunities. The delegation was led by Dr Lester Levy, who was then chair of the Auckland metropolitan DHBs, and Waitematā DHB CEO Dr Dale Bramley.
Waitematā DHB had previously hosted many health delegations from China (and other Asian countries), developed a preliminary understanding of China and the Chinese health and disability system, and established organisational collaboration agreement (Heads of Agreement, HoA) with the Health and Family Planning Commission of Shandong Province, China.
The Waitematā DHB delegation made official visits to hospitals/community health centres in Beijing, Shandong and Shanghai, the Beijing Service Center of Medical Talent (part of Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning), the Health and Family Planning Commission of Shandong Province, Cheeloo College of Medicine of Shandong University and Jining Medical University in Shandong Province, and the Shanghai Hospital Development Center. The delegation was impressed with the efficiency of hospital outpatient clinics, digital hospital and wearable medical devices, clinical skills training and the volume of surgical operations and modern diagnosis/surgical technology used in China. Cheeloo College of Medicine and Qilu Hospital are also very strong in endocrinology and diabetes research. The organisations visited by our delegation demonstrated clear collaboration intentions in the areas of leadership/talent and health workforce training (including general practitioners), joint medical research, and system integration and facility/hospital building.
Waitematā District Health Board (DHB) is one of three DHBs providing health services for Auckland – the largest city in New Zealand. Waitematā is the largest DHB, being responsible for improving, promoting and protecting the health of a geographic population of up to 650,000. It provides hospital and community services from North Shore Hospital, Waitakere Hospital and over 30 sites throughout the district. Waitematā DHB’s annual estimated budget is NZ$2.23 billion in 2021/22. The DHB employs more than 8,600 staff. The DHB’s population is very diverse including Māori (10%), Pacific (7%), Asian (28%) and European/Other (55%). Our population is growing and projected to increase by 12% (76,000 people) over the next ten years. Chinese takes roughly 40% of the Asian population, followed by Indian, Korean, Filipino and other Asian sub-groups.
New Zealand is no different from other most developed countries in terms of population growth, population ageing, increased burden of disease and lack of resources for health outcomes and quality life. New Zealand and many Asian countries have enjoyed close and friendly relationship for decades. New Zealand has signed free trade agreements in place with a few Asian countries and joined the CPTPP and RCEP for better economic opportunities and development.
New Zealand’s relationships with Asian countries are not restricted to tourism, education, trade, services and investment though they are critically important. The New Zealand China Council has identified areas for enhanced co-operation under a Belt and Road framework: trade facilitation, innovation and the creative sector as well as building new connectivity between China, New Zealand and South America. There is abundant room for improvement of the collaboration with Asian countries in the health and disability sector.
Collaboration with Asian countries can complement each other and achieve ‘win-win’, e.g. Asian countries’ enormous human resources and intelligence pool, fund and opportunities for commercialization of science, and New Zealand’s world-class reputation in science, health care management and patient-centred care.
After the first Health Forum was held in Auckland New Zealand nearly three years ago, there have been very positive feedbacks from participants, with the release of the Forum Report and Forum Communiqué. Participants agreed that Waitematā DHB’s initiative to host the forum was an important step in fostering positive relationships between organizations and individuals across Asia to promote health outcomes and patient experiences.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, there have been significant disruptions caused by the pandemic across Asia and the world. However, there have also been lot of innovations, improved use of new technologies, new ways of work and health care service provision & interactions. We all need to work together to leverage these new opportunities for improved health outcomes, community engagement and client/patient experiences, and better well-being.
The 2nd Health Forum on International Collaboration with Asian Countries aims
Use of health technologies in improving health outcomes and patient experiences in the context of COVID-19 (在新冠肺炎背景下利用医疗卫生新技术提高健康水平和患者体验)
NZ Time 1pm – 5:40pm, Thursday 26 May 2022;
NZ Time 1pm – 5:00pm, Friday 27 May 2022
Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
Zoom webinar with YouTube and GoodgoodsNZ live-streaming (thanks to the support provided by JEM Events and Media Ltd).
Day 1: Thursday, 26 May 2022 (NZ Time)
Time |
Event |
Facilitator |
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1:10 p.m. |
Mihi and welcome speeches |
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1:10pm Mihi |
Kaumātua Fraser Toi |
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1:15pm Dr Andrew Brant, Deputy CEO, Waitematā DHB |
Dr Lifeng Zhou, Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā DHB |
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1:25pm Mr Zhen LEI, Deputy Consul General of China in Auckland |
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1:35 p.m. |
Presentations - Part 1 |
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1:35pm “The New Zealand – China relationship in context” Mr Alistair Crozier, Executive Director, New Zealand China Council |
Dr Lifeng Zhou, Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā DHB |
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2:05pm “Digital Approaches to the Covid response in New Zealand” Mr Michael Dreyer, Group Manager of National Digital Services, Chief Technology Officer, Ministry of Health New Zealand |
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2:35pm “Strategy for and insights of the COVID-19 control in China” Prof Jue LIU, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University; Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing, China |
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3:00pm “Reflections from Covid and response to Disease X” Prof Teo Yik Ying, Dean, School of Public Health, National University of Singapore |
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3:25 p.m. |
Afternoon tea (virtual) |
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3:40 p.m. |
Presentations - Part 2 |
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3:40pm “A Single Lead ECG Patch with AI for Detection and Monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation” Dr Jichao Zhao, Senior Research Fellow; Mr Jiayuan Yang, PhD candidate, Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland Dr Patrick Gladding, Cardiologist, Waitematā DHB |
Dr Maggie Ma, Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā DHB |
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4:00pm “Reliability and Validity of the Chinese version of Visual Alcohol and Drug Outcome Measure-Revised” Dr Jiang DU, Director; Dr Xiaojun WU, PhD candidate, Shanghai Mental Health Center Dr Virginia Farnsworth, Clinical Psychologist, Waitematā DHB |
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4:20pm “Rongoā Māori development in NZ” Mr Nigel Chee, General Manager, Māori Health, Waitematā and Auckland DHBs |
Mr Grant Berghan, CEO, New Zealand Public Health Association (PHANZ) |
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4:30pm “Insights of integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with the modern medicine” Prof. Jingcheng DONG, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University |
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5:00pm “Rongoā Māori health practice and research” Donna Kerridge, Rongoā Māori practitioner Dr Helen Wihongi, Director, Māori Health Research, Waitematā DHB |
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5:30pm Panel discussion “The way forward for Rongoā Māori practice and integration of ethnic medicine with the western medicine” Prof. Jingcheng DONG Donna Kerridge Dr Helen Wihongi |
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5:40 p.m. |
Wrap up and close for the day |
Kaumātua Fraser Toi |
|
Day 2, Friday, 27 May 2022 (NZ Time)
Time |
Event |
Facilitator |
1:00 p.m. |
Mihi |
Kaumātua Fraser Toi |
1:10 pm |
Presentations - Part 3 |
|
|
1:10pm “Overview of Asian health, achievements and areas for improvement” Associate Prof. Roshini Peiris-John, School of Population Health, University of Auckland Dr Lifeng Zhou, Chair of Asian Caucus, Public Health Association of New Zealand |
Cr Paul Young, Board Member, Counties Manukau DHB |
1:25pm “Health service model for Asian and ethnic populations: the present and the future” Ms Grace Ryu, Operations Manager, Asian Health Services, Waitematā DHB |
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1:40pm “Voices of community organisations” Ms Gloria Yaping Gao, Chief Operations Manager, CNSST Foundation Mr Vishal Rishi, Director, The Asian Network Incorporated (TANI) Mr Ivan Yeo, Deputy Director & Public Health Lead, Asian Family Services |
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1:55pm Panel discussion “How to improve the health and wellbeing of Asian and ethnic populations in the context of health and disability system reform” Associate Prof. Roshini Peiris-John Dr Lifeng Zhou Ms Grace Ryu Ms Gloria Yaping Gao Mr Vishal Rishi Mr Ivan Yeo Mr Ramil Adhikari
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2:10 p.m. |
Presentations - Part 4 |
|
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2:10pm “The prevention and control of COVID-19 in Shandong” Dr Zengqiang KOU, Director, Shandong Provincial CDC |
Prof. Qing WANG, Shandong University |
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2:40m “Use of 5G mobile technology in remote surgery” Dr Haitao NIU, Deputy President, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University |
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3:10 p.m. |
Afternoon tea (virtual) |
|
3:20 p.m. |
Presentations - Part 5 |
|
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3:20pm “Remote real-time ECG monitoring platform and its potentials” Prof. Haiqing GAO, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University |
Dr Maggie Ma, Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā DHB |
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3:50pm “Progress of use of Big Data in health” Prof. Fuzhong XUE Dean, Institute for Medical Dataology, Shandong University |
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4:20pm “Use of robotics in arthroplastics in Shanghai China” Dr Yunsu CHEN, Director, the 6th People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University |
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4:50 p.m. |
Wrap up and Health Forum close |
Dr Lifeng Zhou Kaumātua Fraser Toi |
The 2nd Health Forum on International Collaboration
with Asian Countries
Auckland, New Zealand
Friday 27 May 2022
FORUM COMMUNIQUÉ
The 2nd health forum on international collaboration between New Zealand and Asian countries was held virtually via Zoom with live-streaming also on YouTube and GoodgoodsNZ during 26-27 May 2022.
It was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health of New Zealand, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland, New Zealand China Council, School of Public Health of Peking University, School of Public Health of National University of Singapore, University of Auckland, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Ora New Zealand, the Public Health Association New Zealand, CNSST Foundation, The Asian Network Inc. (TANI), Asian Family Services, Shandong Provincial CDC, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Counties Manukau DHB, and Waitematā and Auckland DHBs.
Participants including virtual attendees commended Waitematā DHB’s initiative to hold the forum in the context of Covid which they agreed was an important step in fostering positive relationships between organisations and individuals working to promote health outcomes and patient experiences in their respective countries. Strategies against Covid were exchanged by experts in this field. While Covid has been a disruptor in many ways, it is also an enabler to digital transformation of our diverse health systems. The two special sessions of Rongoā Māori medicine & its integration with the western medicine and Asian & ethnic health attracted lots of interest from attendees, particularly with the reform of the health and disability system in New Zealand.
They recognized the many opportunities for sharing experience, expertise and information in areas such as digital health during Covid, use of big data and artificial intelligence in healthcare, indigenous health and Asian/ethnic health, community engagement and development, system integration, leadership and talent development, medical research and the use of new technologies.
Participants expressed the hope that through mutual collaboration in the above areas they could not only help to improve health outcomes and patient experiences in their respective countries, but also strengthen wider bonds of friendship in our Region.
A health forum like this will need to be continued and enhanced further, with the set-up of Health New Zealand and Māori Health Authority in New Zealand.
The speakers, panellists and facilitator of the special session on Asian Health at the 2nd Health Forum on International Collaboration with Asian Countries agreed to make a statement on the health system reform of New Zealand, for Asian and other ethnic minority groups.
We appreciate all the good work by the Asian Health Reform Advisory Group and the Asian Caucus of the Public Health Association of New Zealand, Waitematā DHB, Auckland DHB, Counties Manukau DHB, the Ministry of Health, Centre for Asian Health Research and Evaluation (CAHRE) of the University of Auckland, community health and wellbeing organisations and community leaders, and politicians. We are happy to hear that Hon Andrew Little is aware of the unmet health needs of the Asian and ethnic communities and the health model of Waitematā DHB can be expanded to other regions.
We welcome the direction of the health system reform to reinforce Te Tiriti principles and obligations and address the persistent inequalities experienced by Māori, Pacific, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations such as the rainbow communities.
As one in five people in NZ is of Asian or other ethnic minority groups, we believe the unique health needs of these people are of paramount importance to achieve “Health for All”:
[i] Patel M, Jaung R, Winnard D, Papaconstantinou D, Ameratunga S (2022) Demography of Asian Communities living in the rohe of the Northern Region District Health Boards.
[ii] Asian Health Reform Advisory Group, Recommendations on the health system reform for Asian and ethnic communities in Aotearoa. Wellington: Public Health Association New Zealand, 2022.
Retrieved from: here
[iii] Peiris-John R, Kang, K, Bavin L, Dizon L, Singh N, Clark T, Fleming, T, & Ameratunga, S. East Asian, South Asian, Chinese and Indian Students in Aotearoa: A Youth19 Report Auckland: The University of Auckland; 2021.
[iv] Wong S. Asian Public Health in Aotearoa New Zealand. Auckland: The Asian Network Incorporated; 2021.
[v] Peiris-John R, Kang, K, Bavin L, Dizon L, Singh N, Clark T, Fleming, T, & Ameratunga, S. East Asian, South Asian, Chinese and Indian Students in Aotearoa: A Youth19 Report Auckland: The University of Auckland; 2021.
[vi] CNSST Foundation: https://www.cnsst.org.nz/;
Asian Family Services: https://www.asianfamilyservices.nz/;
The Asian Network Inc.: https://www.asiannetwork.org.nz/
[vii] Asian, New Migrant, Former Refugee & Current Asylum Seeker Health Plan 2020-2023 - Waitematā and Auckland District Health Boards. Auckland: Waitematā District Health Board; 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.waitematadhb.govt.nz/assets/Documents/health-plans/Asian-Migrant-Refugee-Health-Plan-ADHB-WDHB-Final.pdf
[viii] Asian Health Services, Waitematā District Health Board: https://www.asianhealthservices.co.nz/
[ix] Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā District Health Board: https://www.waitematadhb.govt.nz/about-us/asian-international-collaboration/
Waitematā District Health Board (DHB) is one of three DHBs providing health services for Auckland – the largest city in New Zealand. Waitematā is the largest DHB, being responsible for improving, promoting and protecting the health of a geographic population of up to 630,000. It provides two hospitals and community services from 30 sites across the district. It also funds primary health care services via Primary Health Organisations (PHOs). Waitematā DHB’s annual budget is NZ$1.4 billion. The DHB has 6800 staff, and sees 119,885 emergency department and 175,885 outpatient clinic attendances each year. The DHB’s population is very diverse including Maori (10%), Pacific (7%), Asian (22%) and European/Other (61%). Chinese takes roughly 40% of the Asian population, followed by Indian, Korean, Filipino and other Asian sub-groups.
New Zealand is no different from other most developed countries in terms of population growth, population ageing, increased burden of disease and lack of resources for health outcomes and quality life. New Zealand and many Asian countries have enjoyed close and friendly relationship for decades. New Zealand has signed free trade agreements in place with a few Asian countries and joined the CPTPP for better economic opportunities and development.
New Zealand’s relationships with Asian countries are not restricted to tourism, education, trade, services and investment though they are critically important. The New Zealand China Council has identified areas for enhanced co-operation under a Belt and Road framework: trade facilitation, innovation and the creative sector as well as building new connectivity between China, New Zealand and South America. There is abundant room for improvement of the collaboration with Asian countries in the health and disability sector.
Collaboration with Asian countries can complement each other and achieve ‘win-win’, e.g. Asian countries’ enormous human resources and intelligence pool, fund and opportunities for commercialization of science, and New Zealand’s world-class reputation in science, health care management and patient-centred care.
Waitematā DHB plans to have a health forum on international collaboration with Asian countries at the DHB’s North Shore Hospital on Friday, 8 November 2019. The objectives are
10:30am – 4:30pm, Friday, 8 November 2019
Whenua Pupuke Clinical Training Centre, Takapuna, Waitematā DHB, Auckland, New Zealand
There are a few speakers in the process of confirmation. Once all the speakers confirm their attendance, a programme will be produced.
The following info is requested from attendees/speakers/delegates of the Health Forum for compiling a handbook of the forum:
The photo, the form and the PowerPoint presentation (for speakers) will need to be made available to the health forum coordinator by 28 October 2019.
Side activities such as informal meetings with clinicians, managers and other professionals of Waitematā DHB will be arranged if feasible upon request from attendees of the health forum in the week before the health forum (4-7 November 2019). This will maximise the gain of the exchanges, particularly for delegates from overseas.
New Zealand Health Foundation for Asian and Ethnic Communities (NZHF-AEC) kindly sponsors the conference dinner (venue and time to be confirmed).
Dr Lifeng Zhou, Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā District Health Board
Level 1, 15 Shea Terrace, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
Private Bag: 93-503, Auckland 0740
Inaugural Health Forum on International Collaboration with Asian Countries
New Zealand and Asian countries share many common challenges such as population ageing, increased burden of disease and lack of resources for health outcomes and quality of life. Collaboration with Asian countries can complement each other and achieve ‘win-win’, e.g. Asian countries’ enormous human resources and intelligence pool, fund and opportunities for commercialisation of science, and New Zealand’s world-class reputation in science, health care management and patient-centred care.
The inaugural ‘Health Forum on International Collaboration with Asian Countries’ was held at Whenua Pupuke Clinical Training Centre, Takapuna, Waitematā District Health Board (DHB), Auckland on Friday, 8 November 2019, with a focus on new technologies such as use of artificial intelligence and Big Data in health.
The Forum was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health of New Zealand (Mr Shayne Hunter, Deputy Director-General, Data and Digital), Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland (Mr Xiao Yewen, Vice Consul-General), New Zealand China Council (Mr Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director), Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Auckland (Ms Rebecca Kim), the New Zealand – China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre (CRCC), Section of Epidemiology & Biostatistics of the University of Auckland, Shandong Provincial Health Commission, Shandong Mental Health Center, School of Public Health and Healthcare Big Data Research Institute of Shandong University, iFLYTEK, New Zealand Health Research Council (HRC), New Zealand Health Foundation for Asian and Ethnic Communities (NZHF-AEC) and Waitematā DHB (including its Institute for Innovation and Improvement, also known as i3). Dr Andrew Brant (Deputy CEO) made a welcome speech on behalf of Waitematā DHB and Dr Dale Bramley (CEO, Waitematā DHB) was also able to talk to the participants. Mr Bruce Levi (General Manager, Pacific Health, Waitematā DHB and Auckland DHB) did an amazing job as the master of ceremonies (MC). The Forum was organised by the DHB’s Asian International Collaboration Department (Dr Lifeng Zhou, Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration) with the support of Dr Maggie Ma (China Collaboration Fellow, Waitematā DHB). More than 50 people participated in the event.
Mr Stephen Jacobi presented on ‘China and New Zealand – Partners for Health’, providing a broader context for the two countries to work together for mutual benefits and the potential opportunities in health cooperation for both sides to explore. Participants commended Waitematā DHB’s initiative to hold the forum which they agreed was an important step in fostering positive relationships between organisations and individuals working to promote health outcomes and patient experiences in their respective countries. They recognised the many opportunities for sharing experience, expertise and information in areas such as digital health, the use of big data and artificial intelligence in healthcare, system integration, leadership and talent development, facility building, medical research and the use of new technologies. The Forum was concluded with a communiqué signed between multiple parties to enhance collaborative relationships.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of the Forum, including our great volunteers from NZHF-AEC and the DHB’s Asian Health Services.
Health Forum on International Collaboration with Asian Countries
Auckland, New Zealand
Friday, 8 November, 2019
FORUM COMMUNIQUÉ
A health forum on international collaboration between New Zealand and Asian countries was held at Waitematā District Health Board (DHB) in Auckland, New Zealand, on 8 November, 2019.
It was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health of New Zealand, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland, New Zealand China Council, Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Auckland, the New Zealand – China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre (CRCC), Section of Epidemiology & Biostatistics of the University of Auckland, Shandong Provincial Health Commission, Shandong Mental Health Center, School of Public Health and Healthcare Big Data Research Institute of Shandong University, iFLYTEK, New Zealand Health Research Council (HRC), New Zealand Health Foundation for Asian and Ethnic Communities and Waitematā DHB.
Participants commended Waitematā DHB’s initiative to hold the forum which they agreed was an important step in fostering positive relationships between organisations and individuals working to promote health outcomes and patient experiences in their respective countries.
Participants acknowledged the many common challenges they faced such as growing and ageing populations, increasing burden of disease and limited healthcare resources.
They recognised the many opportunities for sharing experience, expertise and information in areas such as digital health, the use of big data and artificial intelligence in healthcare, system integration, leadership and talent development, facility building, medical research and the use of new technologies.
Participants expressed the hope that through mutual collaboration in the above areas they could not only help to improve health outcomes and patient experiences in their respective countries but also strengthen wider bonds of friendship in our Region.
Waitematā DHB signed a Heads of Agreement (HoA) with the Health and Family Planning Commission of Shandong Province China in 2016. The HoA covered the mechanism for exchange and cooperation at the government/district health board level, facilitation of the engagement of relationships with medical colleges and universities/medical institutions/research institutions as well as the promotion of medical/health, scientific and technical innovation and results transformation, with the aim of benefiting both sides by collaboration. The position of China Collaboration Fellow sits at the Institute for Innovation and Improvement (i3), aligning with the HoA, and is intended to help develop a collaborative programme between Waitematā DHB and health organizations in China. The fellow will spend a month in Shandong as part of the role. The position will:
It was our great pleasure in 2018 to host two visiting nurses from the Renji Hospital of Shanghai, China. The hospital is affiliated to the Jiao-tong University and the nurses, Xiuqun Yuan and Danfeng Zha, spent four weeks with us at North Shore Hospital as part of a new exchange programme. Both explored ways to reduce inefficiencies and gain better health outcomes for their services back home. They also offered us some insights of use in our own work to build capability and capacity through the use of technology.
We look forward to further collaboration in areas including but not restricted to nursing.
Please click here for more info.
Professor Rod Jackson and his team at the University of Auckland have published new equations predicting cardiovascular diseases risk (CVD, mainly heart attacks and strokes) for residents in New Zealand on The Lancet. The new risk prediction models were based on modern New Zealand population data, rather than US data, so that under- or over-estimation of the CVD risk could be avoided.
A high-profile delegation from Shandong China visited Waitematā DHB on 17 Sep 2019. This delegation was led by Vice Governor Hon. Mr Sun Jiye and Deputy Director-General of the Shandong Provincial Health Commission, Dr Qin Chengyong. This trip helped keep our relationship strong with Asia and reinforced our efforts to improve healthcare technology. The DHB has also established a fellowship programme with Shandong.
Mr. Xiao Yewen (Vice Consul-General of China in Auckland) witnessed the signing ceremony of the agreement on international fellowship exchange programme by Dr Qin Chengyong and Dr Andrew Brant (Deputy CEO, Waitematā DHB), together with Hon. Sun Jiye, Mr. Zhang Liansan (Deputy Director-General, the General Office of Shandong Provincial Government), Dame R. Naida Glavish (DNZM JP, Chief Advisor Tikanga, Waitematā and Auckland DHBs), Mr John Cullen (Senior Management Team, Waitematā DHB) and Dr Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā DHB).
The cultural welcome by the DHB's Māori, Pacific and Asian teams were very impressive. There were also excellent presentations and discussions on collaborative opportunities such as the integrated service system of Binzhou Medical University Hospital.
Waitematā DHB hosted a delegation of Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission led by its Deputy Director-General Mr XIA Jiancheng on the 5th of September. Dr Jonathan Christiansen (Chief Medical Officer), welcomed the delegation on behalf of the DHB. Dr Penny Andrew (Director, Institute for Innovation and Improvement, i3) shared the development and achievements of health IT with the delegation and Martin Lauder (Quality Manager, Strategic Capital Programme Group) talked about the best practice and framework of procurement in New Zealand. The delegates were impressed of our health information management system such as ‘Snapshot’ and showed strong interest in the highly transparent procurement system. At site visit to the i3 of the DHB, Qlik was an attraction as well. The delegation is very happy to coordinate Dr Maggie Ma’s study trip to Hangzhou Zhejiang Province and looks forward to enhancing collaborative relationship with our DHB in the health IT and use of artificial intelligence in medical practice.
On 3 May 2019, Professor Jingcheng DONG, Director of Fudan University's Institutes of Integrative Medicine (Shanghai China), visited Waitematā District Health Board (DHB) and its North Shore Hospital. Dr Andrew Brant (Deputy CEO and Chief Medical Officer) with colleagues Dr John Cullen (Senior Management Team), Dr Robyn Whitaker (Clinical Director of the Institute for Innovation and Improvement, i3), Mr Mike Barns (Project Director, Strategic Capital Programme) and Dr Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration) received Professor Dong and his entourage that afternoon.
There were fruitful discussions on hospital construction, the efficiency of New Zealand's health system and potential areas for cooperation. Later, Professor Dong and his delegation visited the cardiology ward of North Shore Hospital. Dr Andrew To (Cardiologist) and Li Ma (Charge Nurse) showed the layout of the ward, electronic clinical data monitoring and electronic cardiac surgery monitoring. In the evening, Professor Dong also discussed with Dr Helen Wihongi (Director - Māori Health Research) the idea of integrating Western medicine with Māori medicine as he does with the 'Chinese Traditional Medicine'. It is hoped that Waitematā DHB and Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine will explore the potential areas for cooperation further.
The Asian International Collaboration of Waitematā DHB hosted the Institute of Medical Information (IMI) and Library of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) on the 5th of December 2018. The IMI conducts research on medical information and health policy (such as the national health strategy ‘Healthy China 2020’), and provides information services and decision-making support for national health system reform and medical innovation at the national level. The IMI also has a pivotal position as the national medical library of China. The delegation of four shared their application of big data and artificial intelligence in medical field application of information modernization technology, information aided technology in medical research and health science.
Dr Dale Bramley (CEO, Waitematā DHB) and Dr Penny Andrew (Director, the Institute for Innovation and Improvement, i3, Waitematā DHB) talked to the delegation about New Zealand health system and the innovations such as Leapfrog projects (a CEO-sponsored initiative to fast track technological advances) of the DHB for better health outcomes, equity and patient experiences. Shayne Tong (Chief Digital Officer, Auckland DHB), Zoe McKechnie (Strategic Relationships Manager, the Health Research Council), Dr Jerome Ng (QI and Informatics Lead, i3, Waitematā DHB), Ali Khan (Data Manager) and Randall Britten (Advanced Analytics Manger) of Auckland DHB joined the discussions exploring future collaborations facilitated by Dr Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration), after the presentations. The delegation also had site visits to the library and Asian Health Services of the DHB.
Dr Robyn Whitaker (Clinical Director of the Institute for Innovation and Improvement, i3) and Dr Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration) visited Shanghai Children's Hospital on the 25th of November. The hospital is a Grade A Class III children’s hospital integrating the medical treatment, health care, teaching, scientific research and rehabilitation. It was also the first specialist children's hospital in China. The hospital has more than 1,500 employees, 700 beds in two campuses, with 2.5 million outpatient attendances, 44,000 inpatient attendances and 27,000 attendances of inpatients undergoing operations in 2017. It is HIMSS EMRAM Level 7 accredited. The hospital has developed an official WeChat account for booking outpatient appointments and inpatient app for navigating the process/treatment, with built-in AI in their IS systems using national guidelines but also knowledge base of senior clinicians – patient similarity based on information from previous patients to suggest most likely diagnosis & antibiotics prior to cultures – current focus on pneumonia and diarrhoea. There is also good progress of AI x-ray to work out bone age for diagnosis of developmental delays of children. The hospital is working on the 'Smart Hospital' ideology. Picture below shows a robot in trial carrying goods at Children’s Hospital of Shanghai.
Dr Robyn Whitaker (Clinical Director of the Institute for Innovation and Improvement, i3) and Dr Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration) visited the first affiliated hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU) China on the 21st of November. Founded in 1947 as the premier affiliated hospital of Zhejiang University, FAHZU is not only a leading hospital in Zhejiang Province, but also has evolved into a national level centre and a regional medical power integrating clinical care, medical education, scientific research, preventive care and health protection. The hospital has a leading position in diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases and organ transplant. Its Da Vinci surgical robot has been reported to be the busiest and most hard-working one in the world in 2017. The hospital has been very active in using AI in medical practices in recent years, with some form of collaboration with Alibaba Health, such as automatic voice recording technology using Natural Language Processing (NLP) in oral outpatient HER; identification, segmentation and detection in medical images for diagnostic assistance; diabetic retinopathy; AI spine explorer from MRI quantification of lumbar vertebrae and discs; liver vasculature for transplant surgery and thyroid diagnosis. The hospital is also HIMSS EMRAM Level 6 accredited. Picture below shows the physician pointing at the location of the thyroid lesion nodule identified by the AI at the point of care at FAHZU.
Waitematā DHB and i3 hosted the visit by Ms Ping He, the IT Director of Shanghai Hospital Development Center. Ms He observed the Leapfrog project meeting chaired by Dr Robyn Whittaker and visited the cardiology department where Dr Lara Hopley demonstrated the great work led by i3 and the DHB's clinicians (Dr Penny Andrew, Dr Lifeng Zhou and Dan Yu accompanied Ping). Ms He presented the demography of Shanghai (more than 24 million resident population), the role, scope, function and informatization work of the Shanghai Center. The Center invests and holds 28 municipal hospitals and cooperates ten tertiary top-level hospitals in Shanghai. Use of standard 'uniform medical card' for universal health care access in Shanghai and the 'hospital link project' are impressive among others. It is also of interest for the Center to use artificial intelligence in supporting clinical decision making in cancer radiology. There are some good ideas of further exchange between the Center and Waitematā DHB in health IT.
Dr Lifeng Zhou met with Mr Kaicheng LIANG, Director of the Division of Traditional Chinese Medicine Development, Shandong Health and Family Planning Commission on 5 September. Progress was shared implementing the signed Heads of Agreement between Waitematā DHB and Shandong. Mr Liang is keen to see the possibility of using some traditional Chinese techniques/therapies in hospitals or other settings, e.g. acupuncture for pain relief as part of physiotherapy.
The left-sided picture shows Dr Zhou sharing with Mr Liang the Year Book 2016 in which CEO Dr Dale Bramley shook hands with the deputy Director-General of Shandong Health and Family Planning Commission after the Heads of Agreement was signed. Mr Liang was part of a visiting business delegation from Shandong Province (the right-sided picture).
The Asian International Collaboration of Waitematā DHB has established a close working relationship with the Korean Consulate in Auckland over the recent two years. There have been a number of delegation visits from South Korea to our DHB including Wilson Centre. Waitematā DHB is also collaborating with the Korean Consulate supporting them to hold 'K-Pop Dance Workshop' promoting mental health and wellbeing for our residents in the Mental Health Awareness Week. Dr Jocelyn Peach, Director of Nursing & Midwifery and Emergency Systems Planner, has recently been invited to visit South Korea to experience the country culturally and professionally. Jocelyn enjoyed the visit greatly and was also able to share her experiences at the inaugural Moon Festival celebration at Waitematā DHB.
On 14 August 2018, Waitematā DHB hosted a Korean delegation led by Mr Il-hwan Ko, Director-General of Welfare and Health Bureau of Chungnam Province (with a population of 2.2 million) of the Republic of Korea. Amanda Bleckmann (Manager of Disability Support Services of the MoH), Samantha Dalwood (Disability Advisor, Waitematā DHB), Dr Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration) and Grace Ryu (Operations Manager for Asian Support Services) were able to talk to the delegation at the DHB’s Whenua Pupuke Clinical Skills Centre. The delegation was also able to talk to Michele Kooiman (Operations Manager of Child Health) and had a site visit to Wilson Centre. There were excellent interactions between the delegates and speakers, with translation support in place. Topics covered policy, strategy and funding model of disability support services, and operations of a respite centre. Mr Ko indicates that they really want to provide more service options meeting the diverse needs of the people with disabilities in Korea, which includes home/community support services rather than segregated institutions. This is a fundamental service model change for Chungnam Province and our expertise, experiences and service models are very valuable to them.
This delegation’s visit was related to the Korean delegation which our DHB hosted last August. The head of last year’s delegation, Hon. Yang Seung-jo, the former Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly is the newly elected governor of Chungnam Province. Mr Yang was very impressed with the New Zealand health and disability system including the excellent family-centred care delivery model at the DHB’s Wilson Centre. He had encouraged Mr Ko to visit us to have the first-hand learning.
A delegation made up of two top Chinese diabetes researchers visited our DHB on the 9th of October 2017. The visit purpose was for the Chinese researchers to engage with clinicians in the diabetes area via the national platform of the New Zealand-China Non Communicable Diseases Research Collaboration Centre (NCD CRCC: http://www.crcc.nz/non-communicable-diseases).
Prof Jinkui Yang (Deputy President of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University) talked about urine proteomic biomarkers for predicting kidney function decline in patients with diabetes, and Prof Qinghua Wang (Institute of Metabolism and Diabetology, Fudan University) shared his thoughts on innovative drug discovery in an academic setting - translational diabetes research in China. Both professors continued their visits to Wellington and Dunedin, and joined other top researchers from China. A few MoUs were signed between New Zealand and China at the University of Otago in a number of areas including diabetes, heart disease, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's (http://www.crcc.nz/node/149).
Waitematā DHB hosted the Henan Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission on 11 September at Whenua Pupuke Clinical Skills Centre. The delegation led by its Deputy Director-General, Mr Chonggang ZHANG, met with Drs John Cullen and Lifeng Zhou, and had the opportunity to gain a better understanding the New Zealand Health System. They were impressed of the health technology development at Waitematā DHB, in particular the work by the Institute for Innovation and Improvement. They also echoed the efficiency principles running the Elective Surgery Centre, as the delegation gathered from Dr Cullen. Mr Zhang welcomes Waitematā DHB to visit Henan sometime suitable in the future, as they are keen to establish some formal collaboration relationship in areas such as clinical skills exchange, health technology transfer and joint medical research.
The delegation of National Health Development Research Center (NHDRC) of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China made an official visit to Waitematā DHB on 25 August 2017. The delegates were impressed with the well-prepared presentations (Dr Andrew Brant’s general introduction to the health and disability system and Delwyn Armstrong’s insights on use of the DRG model in clinical improvement and evaluation), organisation, site tour and the unique unforgettable cultural experiences of the Powhiri and welcome. John Hazeldine (Chief Advisor, Funding and Planning, Service Commissioning) and Byron Gill (Team Leader, DHB Funding, Funding & Capital, Service Commissioning) of the Ministry of Health travelled to Auckland from Wellington to present the overview of DRG funding model in New Zealand.
Dr Wei Fu and the NHDRC she led are keen to have follow-up conversations on health policy and other areas of mutual interest, and are happy to link us with other departments of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China. Dr Fu is also interested in the day surgery concept and impressed of the efficiency by the Elective Surgery Centre (ESC).
Waitematā DHB welcomed the Health and Welfare Committee from South Korea’s National Assembly on the 4th of August 2017. The members of the committee had the opportunity to understand what makes Waitematā DHB a leader in health services, in particular our innovative IT health systems. The committee also visited the Wilson Centre with a keen interest in how we provide specialised care to children with disabilities the day before.
Dr Robyn Whittaker (Clinical Director, the Institute for Innovation and Improvement, Waitematā DHB) and Dr Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā DHB) were invited to attend the second ‘Next Summit’ – ‘Next Summit (Hangzhou 2018): Seeking Optimal Practice’ during 22-23 November 2018 in Hangzhou, provincial capital of Zhejiang Province China. The summit was co-hosted by China Economic Information Service (CEIS), Zhejiang University (ZJU) and Oceania Silk Road Network (OSRN) based in Auckland.
CNSST Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary on 26 October 2018, to mark the occasion of their 20 years in community services. CNSST which was launched at Jenny Wang the executive director's garage, has not only provided an ever-growing range of social services and education to both the Asian and wider community for 20 years, but has also brought to fruition their social housing project with the opening of the CNSST Kotuku House this year. More than 200 guests attended the event including MPs Melissa Lee, Denise Lee and Dr Jian Yang, the Deputy Consul General of China in Auckland Mr Yewen Xiao. Waitematā DHB has worked with CNSST in a number of areas/projects, including but not limited to improving PHO enrolment by Asian residents, promoting the message of Census 2018 and Healthy Babies and Healthy Futures programme.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a development initiative launched by China in 2013 to promote connectivity and cooperation under the trend of globalisation. BRI involves more than 64 countries, with an estimated 38 per cent of global GDP, and covers more than 60 per cent of the global population. New Zealand was the first Western developed country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on the arrangements of Belt and Road cooperation during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to New Zealand in March 2017.
The Oceania Silk Road Network (OSRN) was then established in New Zealand, with Mr Peter Goodfellow (the President of the New Zealand National Party) as the founding president of the OSRN. BRI could potentially provide great opportunities for New Zealand’s engagement and cooperation with China in areas of trade, infrastructure, investment, cultural exchange and potentially health collaboration.
A high-level seminar of “New Zealand - China Economic and Trade Cooperation” was held on 20 April in Auckland, marking the 1st anniversary of OSRN, 5th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, 10th anniversary of New Zealand - China Free Trade Agreement & 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up. The members of the Advisory Committee and Expert Committee for 2018-19 were announced at the seminar. The OSRN's work plan for 2018 was introduced by Mr William Zhao (Director General, OSRN), including the 2nd "Next Summit" conference this October in Hangzhou China.
Dr Jian Yang (president of OSRN), Mr Peter Goodfellow (honorary president of OSRN), Mdm Erwen Xu (Consul General, Consulate General of China in Auckland), Hon Paul Goldsmith (National Party Spokesperson for Economic and Regional Development), Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-liga (Former Minister of Pacific Peoples, and Ethnic Communities) and Prof Wei Gao (University OF Auckland) made speeches at the seminar.
Waitematā DHB's Roger Perkins (Executive Head, CEO Office) and Lifeng Zhou (Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration, CEO Office) were invited to attend the seminar.
Please click here for more info (reported in Chinese).
‘NSFC - HRC Workshop on Cancer, Metabolic Diseases, Brain Health, Antimicrobial Resistance and Respiratory Diseases’, organised by the Health Research Council (HRC) in Wellington during 13-14 December 2017. Dr Lifeng Zhou attended the workshop with observations as follows:
This is the second joined workshop of the HRC and NSFC (National Natural Science Foundation of China), after the arrangement agreement was signed between the HRC and NSFC by HRC Chair Dr Lester Levy and NSFC Vice President Dr Liu Congqiang (http://hrc.govt.nz/news-and-media/news/nz-china-collaborate-biomedical-research). This workshop focused on respiratory condition and antimicrobial resistance as well, in addition to Cancer, Metabolic Diseases and Brain Health, which were the focus conditions in the first workshop in Beijing (5 themes/streams in total).
The purpose of the workshop was to identify priority areas by sharing research findings, thoughts and ideas and networking. The 5 themes ran in parallel and then the co-chairs of each theme reported back to the plenary session with feedback and potential research projects.
The CRCC (New Zealand – China Research Collaboration Centre hosted by the University of Otago) shared their collaboration experiences with China after the feedback of the 5 themes. In particular, Brain Research New Zealand had signed a MoU with Huashan Hospital Fudan University (Shanghai) in Dunedin this October. Dr Jeremy Krebs shared some slides of potential collaboration with Prof Jin-Kui Yang in the areas of diabetes (of Beijing Tongren Hospital) who visited our DHB this October (informally).
Prof Zou and Prof McPherson closed the meeting and proposed next steps on behalf of the NSFC and the HRC respectively: the identified areas and potential collaboration projects will be discussed by the two research councils of New Zealand and China early next year; if things go smoothly, there would be an open-to-the-public application process announced at the end of 2018 for project start in 2019.
Dr Lifeng Zhou attended the opening ceremony of the Commemorative Art Exhibition for the 120th Anniversary of the birth of Rewi Alley, a great New Zealander who devoted his precious 60 years in China with his many talents since his accidental arrival in Shanghai in 1927.
In this special year of the New Zealand-China relationship, the adopted children of Rewi Alley, Mr. Deng and his wife, brought never seen before artefacts of Rewi Alley to New Zealand in commemoration of his contribution to the relationship. Bangzhen Deng and his wife Bo Lu are both artists specialising in portraits and sculptures respectively. Together with the New Zealand Institute of Chinese Fine Arts, Global Belt and Road Initiative Center (NZ) and the New Zealand China Friendship Society, they organised a 5 day exhibition containing 100 photographs, 80 artworks and other artefacts and letters to showcase the legendary life that Alley led in China.
Also of interest, Dr Pat Alley, a retired surgeon of Waitematā DHB is the nephew of Rewi Alley. Dr Zhou was able to talk to him briefly at the Art Exhibition (Aotea Centre).
Dr Lifeng Zhou, Chief Advisor for Asian International Collaboration, Waitematā District Health Board
Level 1, 15 Shea Terrace, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
Private Bag: 93-503, Auckland 0740
Email: Lifeng.zhou@waitematadhb.govt.nz