THE Men’s Health Education Rural Health Van (MHERV) will visit Laurieton United Services Club (LUSC) next week. An initiative of Rotary, MHERV is a mobile home-style vehicle which travels throughout rural and regional NSW, providing free health checks for men for issues that are often ignored or overlooked, like high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.
The van spends eight months of the year on the road at a cost of $150,000 per annum, funded predominantly from small private donations and Bunnings BBQs.
A registered nurse travels with the van, aiming to identify potential health concerns before they become serious.
The free five-minute checks are open to all men and include a blood pressure measurement to ensure the heart is not too stressed, a finger pin prick to assess blood sugar levels to check for Type 2 diabetes, and lastly an assessment to see if cholesterol levels are too high and require attention.
The Rotary Club of Laurieton will be hosting the van at LUSC.
“As a club we support this event every year to ensure all men regardless of location or circumstances have access to these essential health checks,” Rotary President Graham Blackett told News Of The Area.
“We strongly encourage all men to participate in a quick procedure that can help detect future problems.
“On several occasions the nurse has picked up on issues that could have been fatal if left untreated.”
The van will be located outside Laurieton United Services Club (2 Seymour Street, Laurieton) on Monday, 3 November and Tuesday, 4 November from 9.30am to 4.15pm.
There is no cost and no appointment is required.
By Rachael THORPE
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