Yass Valley men will have the chance to obtain free health checks on Friday and Saturday, May 25–26 when the Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) visits.
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The initiative, a Rotary project, is a purpose-built caravan with two consulting rooms and it will be stationed on the corner of Comur and Meehan streets.
The van is touring 56 centres in NSW between August 2017 and June 2018.
It has a full-time registered nurse who, with the occasional help of local community nurses, will conduct health tests among rural men.
Adrian Payne, MHERV and Rotary District 9670 member, said MHERV’s job “is to shine a light into the future for blokes with a few simple tests”.
“It’s a 10-minute exercise that often save lives,” he said.
MHERV has shown by results that there is a need to test rural men for health issues.
- Adrian Payne, MHERV and Rotary District 9670 member
Health checks that will be performed are blood pressure, body mass, blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels.
The free service has been set up by Rotary District 9670 and is managed and directed by volunteer rotarians.
“MHERV has shown by results that there is a need to test rural men for health issues,” Mr Payne said.
In August–December 2017, the number of people who were advised to see their GP as soon as possible for assessment was 697 out of 969.
“The tests conducted clearly indicated a specific medical issue. While not immediately life-threatening these people, needed the attention of a doctor for treatment,” Mr Payne said.
During May 25–26, members of the Yass Rotary Club will also be at the van.
The MHERV project began in 2013 after initial discussions in 2008.
The Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution donated funds to cover the salary of the registered nurse for the 2017–18 tour.
- More: mherv.com.au.
