29 Mar 2023

17 Barbara Dreaver | Measles Outbreak in Samoa

From re_covering, 5:00 am on 29 March 2023
Rev. Frank Ritchie sits across a desk from journalist Barbara Dreaver for the podcast re_covering

Rev. Frank Ritchie and Barbara Dreaver Photo: Stephanie Soh Lavemaau

When the measles virus travelled from New Zealand to Samoa in September of 2019 Barbara Dreaver followed. 

On the ground, she found herself telling stories of an ill-equipped healthcare system compounded by complex tensions between traditional and western medicine. This formed the backdrop to the raw and tragic loss of 83 lives, with the majority of casualties being children. 

In this conversation with media chaplain and broadcaster Rev. Frank Ritchie, Barbara opens up about the profound impact those stories had on her, as well as her distinct experiences of being detained in both Fiji and Nauru.

 

re_covering is a Media Chaplaincy New Zealand podcast series produced for RNZ by Love It Media.


Listen free on Apple PodcastsSpotifyiHeartRadio, Google Podcasts or any good podcast app.