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The Pacifika Medical Association Group announced his death this morning.
The Health Ministry confirmed this morning that Dr. Williams died last night and is the 24th Covid-related death in New Zealand.
“Today’s sad news reinforces once again the importance of our shared vigilance against Covid-19, the dire consequences that the virus can bring, and the steps we must all take to stop the spread, break any chain of transmission, and prevent deaths. ”
Dr Williams, 85, was admitted to hospital on August 13 after he became ill when it is believed he may have been in close contact with someone related to the initial Auckland group. His Mt Wellington practice is not far from the Americold Refrigeration Store.
Dr. Williams served as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands for four months in 1999. Previously, he served as the country’s Minister of Health.
Dr. Williams’ death comes after the first death related to Auckland’s Covid-19 cluster was announced yesterday.
An Americold worker in his 50s died at Middlemore Hospital after battling the virus.
The man, who was the father of four children, was the first death from Covid-19 in the Auckland group that has infected 152 people.
Chief Health Officer Ashley Bloomfield said in yesterday’s 1pm briefing that six Covid patients were in the hospital: one in Auckland City, one in Middlemore, two on the North Shore and two in Waikato.
Four people were in a ward and two were in the ICU, one in Middlemore and Waikato hospitals.
Dr. Williams served his country, the Cook Islands, his community in New Zealand, and his many patients for over 60 years. He spent 25 years in the Cook Islands, serving as Minister of Health and Education from 1974 to 1978, Minister of Health, Tourism, Transportation and State-Owned Enterprises from 1994 to 1996, and Prime Minister in 1999.
“We have had the privilege of serving him as our patron and we thank Ms. Jill Williams and her family for sharing it with us and the community,” the Pacifika Medical Association Group said in a press release confirming his death today. “Her love, generosity and kindness has touched so many families, friends and colleagues. She has left us all the gifts of her journey, and for that we are eternally grateful,” said Dr. Kiki Maoate ONZM, Dr. Williams’ nephew and. President of the Pasifika Medical Association.
Dr. Williams’ work in New Zealand as a general practitioner and healthcare professional resulted in his being recognized with a Queen’s Service Order appointment after more than 50 years of service.
He had also worked with the World Health Organization and was a strong advocate for health within the Pasifika community in New Zealand.
Dr. Williams held many senior positions in the New Zealand health sector, served on many advisory committees, and led the establishment of many organizations, including the Cook Islands Health Network.
He established the Mt Wellington Family Healthcare Integrated Clinic, which cared for more than 15,000 patients who traveled from all over New Zealand to see him and continued to practice medicine until his recent short illness.
