“Saving Men’s lives” is the catchcry of the Rotary Men’s health education rule van. Mens Health Education Rule Van (MHERV) is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Warners Bay in collaboration with local Rotary clubs and other community groups in each area it visits.
With the support of the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) a registered nurse undertakes free basic checkups for ‘blokes’ to come in and have a free health check.
The purpose-built van is staffed by a male nurse, Bill Power. It offers free of charge health screening services for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar (diabetes). The consultation takes about 10 minutes and provides immediate results, helping improve men’s health outcomes.
Bill has the knack of being able to relax even the most stressed clients. Bill takes the opportunity to also chat about other health related concerns, including state of mind. This service is offered in a relaxed, confidential, informal setting under COVID safe guidelines.
When: Tuesday 30 May 2023
Location: Cnr Bolton and East Street, Narrandera
Hours: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Cost: free
Over the past four years, the van has seen over 12,000 people and potentially saved an estimated 450 lives because of these three basic health checks.
“Mens Health Education Rule Van (MHERV)” sees around 3,500 patients each year and it is no surprise how many males have undetected symptoms. Around 40% require following up with a GP.
Project leader Graeme Hooper says “while men are our key target as we don’t want them dropping dead in the paddock, ladies are also welcome.”
The Mens Health Education Rule Van (MHERV) history in 2008, Rotarian Mackenzie began discussions with the general manager of Western District Hospital in Mudgee, Joy Adams, about the incidence of late presenting poor health events among real men.
Tony Mackenzie began doing interviews on radio and in local press telling people “it’s a very confidential screening … they would take away the results of the tests personally, with advice to see their own doctor should the registered nurse see that a test indicated an issue. Later they would be followed up with the phone call to see if they had made a doctor’s appointment.”
We don’t know how many rural men have died suddenly for the want of a basic health check or how many we will save on future trips. But people who have not seen their doctor for several years are in high numbers in rural areas. Many men just dropped dead in the paddock, and nobody could see it coming.
In 2013 it was decided to commission a strong, purpose-built caravan to continue the work. It has two consulting rooms that has no windows so it is completely confidential.
The new van went out a few times, mostly to events like agriculture shows etc.
Some of the volunteers working the project became busy with other priorities in their own lives, and Mens Health Education Rule Van (MHERV) was stored on a property out west, awaiting its next assignment, or occasionally for an event.
It was clear a new approach was needed. Steve Jackson, District Governor of district 9670,2026/ 17 was keen to see that the project didn’t quietly fade away.
So planned routes were mapped out for a tour scheduled within a 12 month period starting in year 2017 and then 2018 and 2019, continuing up to the present day.
Rotary clubs along the routes and towns visited to support the project locally. They provide accommodation and meals for the registered nurse and they liaise with the local council for suitable parking for the van. Rotarians staff the registration desk outside the caravan and work with local media to gain publicity prior to the Mens Health Education Rule Van (MHERV)’s arrival.
Narrandera Rotary Club is hoping for a very good roll up on Tuesday 30th May for the free health check-up.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 25 May 2023.
