New tech expands access to skin checks

NEWS – eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

A Northland iwi health provider is adopting the use of new technology to expand access to skin cancer checks, focusing on Māori communities.

Auckland-based start-up Kāhu – a spinoff of MoleMap – partnered with iwi hauora provider Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi, to provide free skin checks in Kaikohe in July 2022 using a specially designed camera to take images of lesions.

Over two days, MoleMap melanographers and Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi nurses saw 39 patients. Dermatologists were consulted via telehealth and recommended treatment to five patients for potential skin cancers, four of which were malignant.

Article published by HiNZ. To read the full article go to the HiNZ website.