Dr Chris Moyes, of Ohope, ONZM, for services to health
Dr Chris Moyes, of Ohope, ONZM, for services to health.
Dr Chris Moyes has been Medical Director of the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand for many years, in addition to his work as a paediatrician. In the 1980s, he played a key role in researching hepatitis B (HBV), as children in parts of New Zealand had high infection rates. As a result, the Ministry of Health introduced an HBV immunisation programme for children. He was a Member of the South Pacific Advisory Group, established to seek HBV vaccine information, conduct epidemiological studies and monitor people with the virus. Alongside his colleagues, he convinced the government to roll out a fully funded HBV vaccination for all infants. Dr Moyes has worked with Kaumātua in Eastern Bay of Plenty to improve access to testing, monitoring and treatment for Māori living with HBV.