Free health checks by medical students for Christchurch Māori community

Staff and medical students from the University of Otago, Christchurch, are offering free health checks to the Māori community this weekend in the hope it will improve wellbeing in what has been a tough year for most Cantabrians.

Fifth Year medical students and their supervisors will offer the free health checks to the Christchurch Māori community on Saturday 17th September 2011, at Rehua Marae, 79 Springfield Rd, St Albans.

The free medical checks are part of the medical students training in Māori health.

They are organised by the campus’ Māori/Indigenous Health Institute (MIHI).

Associate Dean Māori, Suzanne Pitama says the “students have been taught about Māori health within the classroom, met Māori patients within the hospital wards, but this experience will allow them to work alongside the Māori community within a Māori environment.”

“This year we are hoping that in amidst of all the stress and trauma that has filled Christchurch city in 2011, our students can take what they have learnt and make a difference to our Māori community, by providing an appropriate service to them,’’ says Ms Pitama.

“This year Christchurch has been in ‘survival mode’ and we are keen to give back and let our community have the chance to get their health checked in a positive and energetic setting.”

The medical students will carry out a range of health checks including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, spirometry, ECG and sleep apnoea.

The Māori Health Day will run from 10am to 2pm. It is supported by Partnership Health, the CDHB, and the University of Otago.