Rongoā Māori y medicina occidental: Abogando por una atención sanitaria colaborativa en Aotearoa/Nueva Zelanda

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Glenis Mark
Amohia Boulton
Gill Potaka-Osborne

Resumen

Introducción: El sistema de salud de Nueva Zelanda tiene una larga historia de desatender las perspectivas de los Māori (el pueblo Indígena). A pesar de los esfuerzos recientes por reducir las disparidades entre Māori y no Māori, persisten brechas significativas y, en algunos casos, éstas incluso se han ampliado. Este artículo aboga por una mayor colaboración entre la rongoā Māori (medicina tradicional Māori) y la medicina occidental en Aotearoa/Nueva Zelanda, enfatizando la necesidad de integrar las prácticas de sanación Māori dentro del sistema de salud financiado públicamente para responder de manera efectiva a las necesidades culturales.


Métodos: En el estudio "Te Ao Rauropi: a Biosphere of rongoā Māori", se examinó el rol del rongoā Māori en el contexto contemporáneo, a partir de una serie de entrevistas cualitativas realizadas con sanadores y pacientes de la comunidad.


Resultados: Los hallazgos sugieren que un enfoque colaborativo, que reúna las prácticas de sanación Māori tradicionales con la medicina occidental, no solo beneficia a los pacientes, sino que también fortalece el sistema de salud al abordar vacíos en la prestación de servicios y mejorar los resultados generales en salud. Sostenemos que una mayor colaboración entre ambos enfoques de sanación y salud generará un modelo de atención más holístico, que respete e incorpore los valores culturales Māori, fomentando en última instancia un entorno más inclusivo para los pacientes Māori. Se destacan los beneficios potenciales de un enfoque más colaborativo y se presentan una serie de recomendaciones para los responsables de la formulación de políticas.


Conclusión: En definitiva, este artículo sostiene que la integración del rongoā Māori dentro del sistema de salud es esencial para alcanzar resultados de salud equitativos y respetar el patrimonio cultural del pueblo Indígena Māori de este país.

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Mark G, Boulton A, Potaka-Osborne G. Rongoā Māori y medicina occidental: Abogando por una atención sanitaria colaborativa en Aotearoa/Nueva Zelanda. J Community Syst Health [Internet]. 21 de octubre de 2025 [citado 31 de enero de 2026];2(2). Disponible en: https://journals.ub.umu.se/index.php/jcsh/article/view/1236
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Biografía del autor/a

Amohia Boulton, Whakauae Research Services, Whanganui, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Dr Amohia Boulton (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai te Rangi, Ngāti Pukenga, Ngāti Mutunga and Te Āti Awa o te Waka a Māui), is the Director of Whakauae Research Services, an Iwi-owned research centre in Whanganui, New Zealand. Awarded her doctorate from Massey University, New Zealand, in 2005, Dr Boulton’s research focuses on the relationship between, and contribution of, government policy to improving wellbeing outcomes for Māori. Her recent work has explored topics such as research ethics; Rongoā Māori (traditional healing); and the role of data in healthcare decision-making. She is currently leading a five-year, Health Research Council of New Zealand-funded programme entitled Kia Puawai ake ngā uri whakatupu: Flourishing future generations focused on the achievement of health equity for Māori. Dr Boulton is the 2021 recipient of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Te Tohu Rapuora Medal, awarded for her demonstrated leadership, excellence, and contribution to advancing Māori health knowledge.

Gill Potaka-Osborne, Whakauae Research Services, Whanganui, Aotearoa/New Zealand

Ms Gill Potaka-Osborne is a full-time researcher with Whakauae with significant experience conducting Kaupapa Māori research and evaluation with Māori whānau and in health service settings.

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