It has been reported that the National Party has agreed on increasing the funding to $24 million under the spell of an agreement with the Maori Party. Consequently, a Kaitaia doctor has applauded the Government's decision of suggesting increase in financial support, making it almost double, in order to combat rheumatic fever.

While commenting on the announcement, Lance O'Sullivan has expressed confidence that the move will surely support health services to fight against the terrible disease that is still increasing its spell across Northland. In addition, Dr. O'Sullivan has also hailed the authorities to extend the programme for most susceptible places, such as schools.

In May, the authorities announced the program based on school sore throat services as well as local coordination of frontline primary health care services, development of community awareness, health worker training and clinical support tools, surveillance and service audit in order to remove the disease from seven high-risk zones, including Northland, south Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty/Lakes, Te Tairawhiti, Hawke's Bay and Porirua.

In an email, Health Minister Tony Ryall hailed the New Zealand Doctor and expressed confidence that the latest aid will surely help in increasing the spread of advantage to more communities.

“Cases of rheumatic fever in Northland are trending upwards, as they are nationally, but the data shows that where throat-swabbing projects have been put in place in Northland”, added the Northland Medical Officer of Health, Clair Mills, while pinpointing Northland for reflecting the highest rate of rheumatic fever in the country. As per reports, there were around 16 confirmed cases of acute rheumatic fever in Northland during the last year. The rheumatic fever is still affecting a large number of people in the region, she added further.