Media Centre

Baptcare urges indigenous community to take up free health checks

Publish Date: 28/06/2010
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.

The need for Baptcare’s free health checks for the indigenous community in Broadmeadows remains high, as shown through statistics released by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) indicating that the indigenous population remains highly disadvantaged in Australia’s health system.

In March 2009 Baptcare, launched a pilot program in a bid to support this national concern at a grassroots level. The program was initially designed to attract the indigenous community. Today it supports a broad range of vulnerable people including homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.

The free health checks are vital to indigenous communities, many of whom experience poverty and unemployment, poor health and often a poor sense of self-esteem. A large portion also encounter family violence and substance abuse.

The COAG report explores the disparity between indigenous and non-indigenous people, confirming that the indigenous population having a shorter life expectancy due to poor health.

Managed by Baptcare’s Registered Division 1 Nurse, Melinda Emeagi, the free health checks provide various health assessments including a general health evaluation, a blood pressure test and a check for diabetes, as well as free information on health and wellbeing strategies.

“We are pleased to be able to provide this form of support to those members of the indigenous population who have unmet health needs. Indigenous communities battle with numerous social and health issues and Baptcare is committed to supporting them through our health check program,” said Baptcare’s Chief Executive, Mr Jeff Davey.

To date, the program has provided a total 57 free health checks; seven of these checks were for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As the program stands clear from mainstream services, individuals can be confident that they will receive personalised support in a judgement-free environment.

Baptcare is covering all program costs and is currently applying to trusts and foundations to ensure the future viability of the program.

Baptcare urges all vulnerable individuals to visit the centre. The free health checks are available fortnightly, on alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10am–1pm at Enmaraleek Aboriginal Association, 9 Central Grove, Broadmeadows. For further information, please contact Melinda Emeagi on 9385 6565.