A Maori health agency in Gisborne is seeking funds to get more homes insulated to prevent rheumatic fever.
Te Hauora o Turanganui a Kiwa is one of three providers in the region that is contracted by the Ministry of Health to provide sore throat swabs at schools.
Turanga Health clinical advisor Shirley Keown said those who had the bug which causes the disease, Group A streptococcus, were referred on for home insulation.
She said 30 homes were insulated last year, but that's not enough.
Ms Keown said the agency is in talks with local funders to get some additional resource to continue with the programme.
She said it is important that whanau take sore throats seriously.
