New vision centre for the Cook Islands

People in the Cook Islands will soon have better access to eye care, close to home.

cbm New Zealand and Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Islands have signed a new partnership to establish a dedicated Refractive Error and Vision Centre at Rarotonga Hospital, and to strengthen rehabilitation services across the country.

The new centre will bring eye assessment and treatment together in one dedicated place at Rarotonga Hospital, making specialist care easier to reach for people across the Cook Islands.

The agreement was signed in Auckland on 1 July by cbm New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Murray Sheard and Te Marae Ora Secretary of Health Mr Bob Williams. It follows a joint scoping mission in June by Te Marae Ora, cbm New Zealand and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, where the partners confirmed a shared vision for expanding accessible eye health services, strengthening rehabilitation and improving support for people with disabilities.

What the partnership will do

Under the partnership, cbm New Zealand will help set up the vision centre, procure and donate specialised ophthalmic and optometry equipment, and provide technical support and mentoring for local health professionals. The work also strengthens rehabilitation services and access to assistive products, in partnership with the Department of Physiotherapy at Rarotonga Hospital and Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Centre.

Te Marae Ora will provide dedicated clinical space within Rarotonga Hospital, allocate staff, and integrate the services into routine care so they continue well beyond the life of the project. Planning has been shaped by disability-inclusive principles, working alongside the Cook Islands National Disability Council.

A shared commitment

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, has access to quality health services. We are honoured to partner with Te Marae Ora in strengthening local leadership, building sustainable services and improving opportunities for Cook Islands communities to access quality eye health and rehabilitation care close to home.” — Dr Murray Sheard, Chief Executive, cbm New Zealand

“This agreement reflects our shared vision of strengthening the Cook Islands health system through partnership, innovation and long-term investment. Together we are building services that will benefit our communities today and for future generations.” — Mr Bob Williams, Secretary of Health, Te Marae Ora

The initiative also draws on cbm New Zealand’s partnership with the Pacific Disability Forum, which works to strengthen the preparedness, resilience and inclusion of people with disabilities across the Pacific.

The project is funded by cbm New Zealand, with support from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Dr Murray Sheard of cbm New Zealand and Te Marae Ora Secretary of Health Bob Williams shake hands, each holding a signed copy of the partnership agreement.
Dr Murray Sheard, Chief Executive of cbm New Zealand, and Mr Bob Williams, Te Marae Ora Secretary of Health, following the signing of the Health Collaboration Agreement in Auckland.
Three people stand outside a building with Māori carving, two of them holding signed copies of the partnership agreement.
cbm New Zealand and Te Marae Ora representatives following the signing in Auckland. Left to right: Dr Murray Sheard, Linabel Hadlee and Mr Bob Williams.
Two men seated at a table, one signing a copy of the partnership agreement while the other looks on.
Signing the Health Collaboration Agreement in Auckland. Mr Bob Williams, Te Marae Ora Secretary of Health, signs alongside cbm New Zealand Chief Executive Dr Murray Sheard.