The Counties Manukau DHB estimates the Ministry of Health has underfunded it by $300 million over the past decade, which has affected its ability to treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Photo: LDR / Stephen ForbesThe figures were included in a report to the DHB by Counties Manukau Health's director of population health Dr Gary Jackson. A spokesman for the Counties Manukau DHB said the funding shortfall had been an ongoing problem for a number of years and was a result of the undercount of the area's population in the Census. Photo: LDRThe DHB is now seeking an extra $138m in funding from the Ministry of Health to improve diabetes treatment and primary healthcare services and to fight obesity. He said as the number of diabetes patients increased year on year in areas such as Counties Manukau, it would only add to treatment cost pressures.

Source: Stuff November 16, 2021 06:40 UTC