Historically, rheumatoid arthritis was a major cause of chronic pain, disability, loss of independence and even reduced life expectancy. With the widespread use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, it is now a very treatable chronic disease with a life expectancy and quality of life approaching that of the general population, explain Kate O’Mahony and Ravi Suppiah
‘He’ll keep taking the hits.’ A Samoan Kiwi who just wants to help Pacific health progress
+Summer Hiatus
FREE READ
‘He’ll keep taking the hits.’ A Samoan Kiwi who just wants to help Pacific health progress
Saturday 15 January 2022, 08:00 AM

South Seas Healthcare chief executive Silao Vaisola-Sefo grew up in Samoa caring for his then bedridden mother, spoke no English when he first went to primary school in Dunedin, and played rugby until his body said "no more" and then he needed a new plan
We are on our summer break and the editorial office is closed until 17 January. In the meantime, please enjoy our Summer Hiatus series, an eclectic mix from our news and clinical archives and articles from The Conversation throughout the year. This article was first published in the 28 April edition
Alan Perrott meets a man who pushed for Ōtara, south Auckland, to get a ‘gold-standard’ COVID-19 community-based assessment centre last year
Silao Vaisola-Sefo, South Seas Healthcare chief executive
Heritage: Gagaifo o le Vao village, Samoa
Arrived in New Zealand: Aged eight years ol