HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 218 Draft 01 1994-1996COUNTY OF HAWAII' STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION N0. 218 95
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A RURAL HEALTH
PLAN FOR THE DISTRICTS OF PUNA AND KA'U.
WHEREAS, the districts of Puna and Ka'u, encompassing
approximately 1,508 square miles and over 15 dispersed communities,
are host to a population of 25,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, a study Consisting of 27 distinct communities throughout
the State of Hawaii was conducted by the Department of Health and the
Primary Health Care Round Table; and
WHEREAS, according to this study entitled, The Hawaii Primary
Care Access Plan, Julv 1995, the service areas of Ka'u and Puna
ranked first and third, respectively, as the highest risk areas
throughout the State in terms of health and socio-economic risk; and
WHEREAS, a state-wide ranking of 27 primary care service areas
shows that Ka'u is the highest risk area in terms of maternal and
child health risk indicators, such as infant mortality, inadequate
prenatal care, low birth weight births, reported medical risk births,
and teen births. The service area of Puna ranks sixth in the same
category; and
WHEREAS, a state-wide ranking of 27 primary care service areas
shows that Puna is the highest risk area in terms of socio-economic
risk indicators such as the percentage of the population below
poverty, percentage of the population age 65 years and over,
unemployment rate, low prenatal rate, and percentage of households on
public assistance. The service area of Ka'u ranks second in the same
category; and
WHEREAS, these results indicate inadequate medical services
within these communities and exemplify the need for medical care in
Puna and Ka'u; and
WHEREAS, the majority of Puna and Ka'u residents are located
between 30-60 miles away from an adequate emergency medical facility;
and
WHEREAS, only a handful of physicians through limited health care
facilities provide much-needed medical care and services for these
25,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, examples of the medical conditions treated by these
physicians include, but are not limited to, asthma, diabetes,
hypertension, accidental injuries, obstetrical/gynecological
difficulties as well as circulatory, mental health and substance
abuse problems; and
WHEREAS, it is ial that facilities ap, date for emergency
care, X-ray service , mental health servi~~s, substance abuse
treatment and prenatal care be immediately provided to these
communities; and
WHEREAS, a 'rural health plan' collaboratively compiled through
existing data, medical personnel and community input, will ensure the
improvement of health facilities and make available sufficient
medical services to all residents within the districts of Puna and
Ka'u.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF
HAWAII, that it urges the funding and implementation of a 'rural
health plan' by the 1996 Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be
transmitted to The Honorable Senator Andrew Levin; The Honorable
Senator Richard Matsuura; The Honorable Representative Robert Herkes;
The Honorable Representative Eric Hamakawa; The Honorable
Representative Jerry Chang; June Kunimoto, Hawaii District Health
Services Administrator, Department of Health; Charlene Gaspar,
Department of Health, Family Health Services; Stephanie Launiu,
Executive Director, Bay Clinic; Dr. Margaret Kitazawa, Ka'u Medical
Center; Lawrence Miike, Director, Department of Health.
Dated at Hilo, Hawaii this 15th day of Decenber' 1995.
KBA/AS/ctd
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I hereby certify that the fo
vote indicated to the righ
the County of Hawaii on
ATTEST:
INTRODUCED BY•
COUNCILMEMBERS, COUNTY OF HAWAII
R OLL CAL L VOTE
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only of Hawaii
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COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER
Reference C-799/Comet. of the Whole-6
RESOLUTION NO. 218 9Jr