A Maori health worker in eastern Bay of Plenty is shocked that throat swab follow-ups are not being done as part of the rheumatic fever prevention programme.
A new Ministry of Health-commissioned report evaluating the first 18 months of the $24 million programme has raised several concerns.
A key part of the prevention programme is throat swabs for schoolchildren in high-risk areas, but the report raises concern that in many cases there is no follow up.
Mahina Harawira, from Te Kaokao o Takapau in Taneatua, said she nearly fell off her chair when she learnt that was not being done.
She said she is offended by the finding.
Ms Harawira said her organisation religiously follows up on all cases so it doesn't have to re-medicate the children, because it's stressful for whanau when they have tested positive.
The report also said that the programme needs to be linked with other health and social services to address the underlying causes of rheumatic fever, such as damp housing, poverty and a lack of access to medical care.
Its also calls for raised public awareness about the link between "strep throat" and rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic fever can develop after a Group A streptococcus, or strep throat infection.
