SAVING local lives is the objective of the Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV), which is back on the Coffs Coast.
It will visit Woolgoolga on Monday and Tuesday, 13-14 October, between 9.30am – 4.15pm.
The van will be situated in The Diggers carpark with a Registered Nurse in attendance.
The nurse will conduct a checkup on blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes and advise participants of their results, Woolgoolga Rotary’s MHERV Project Manager Michelle McIntosh told News Of The Area.
“The MHERV van is a vital initiative for regional areas as it provides a free service that only takes five minutes [and which] can identify symptoms like high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, which don’t always present themselves.
“I encourage everyone to attend as it may just save a life,” she said.
The MHERV project has been operating for eight years, travelling around regional and rural NSW offering free health checkups to people who may not have seen their doctor in years.
Without checkups, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels may have reached seriously high levels.
Since starting in August 2017, 10,237 people have been tested – 436 men were in immediate danger, mostly because their blood pressure was through the roof.
“They were recommended to seek medical help right away,” Ms McIntosh said.
Last year more people dropped into the MHERV than expected, including women.
“All were welcomed for the check to see if anything health-wise required further investigation.”
The service is offered in a relaxed, confidential and informal setting.
By Andrea FERRARI
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