Celina Teao does not have hepatitis B but she knows first-hand the importance of being tested and vaccinated, particularly for Pacific Islanders. As a grandmother of seven boys, she says she has watched and been actively involved in ensuring their required vaccinations are on target.
“This is so important to our Pacific Island people, as we are prone to diseases such as hepatitis B. Although there is no known cure, early detection, treatment and protection of these diseases are far greater than anything you would wish for in your lifetime and for the future generation.
“Do you value your life?”
Born in Rarotonga in the late 60s, Celina attended a Catholic school where she says health, hygiene and well-being was taught at primary age. “Education and re-enforcement of vaccinations including hepatitis B was a priority. We were given oral medication and they watched us consume it all. If you had a scar on your left upper arm, it meant you toughened the needle for immunisation. It highlighted the fact that we needed to be part of the vaccination programme to prevent illness of such diseases later in life.”
Earlier this year Celina set what she hopes will be an example to others of her culture. “In September 2020 I found out by chance that the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand was visiting the Pacific Island Community Tauranga Trust. So I jumped at the chance to be checked for hepatitis B. I didn’t think I had the disease, but there’s always a chance it could be lurking. So I took the test at no cost, and it was a very easy and simple process.
For many people there are a lot of unanswered questions around hepatitis B, Celina says. “Immediately after the test, I read some materials about the disease. It made me think. What if I have it? What do I do? What about my family? Females have a higher percentage of being a carrier. Then I started to think about our people: why are we not educated about this? Why don’t we attend these free tests? Is it the time or are we just lazy? How do we encourage others to attend the initial testing process?
"Do we as a community provide enough awareness about the test, times and venues? I know the basics but there’s a lot more to learn," she says.
"I’m happy to reveal my test result came back negative for hepatitis B. I will most certainly be encouraging my immediate family and those around me to take this test."
