“Over the years she’s come, she’s saved a few lives,” Uncle Meera says about Mel, Div 1 nurse from Baptcare. Mel provides blood sugar and blood pressure checks and general health advice at Broadmeadows-based Aboriginal cooperative Wominjeka every fortnight.
Baptcare provides this outreach community nursing service giving free health checks to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in North West Melbourne.
We run this program without any government funding, working also with other groups like Salvation Army, Vincent Care Victoria, Merri Community Health Service in a variety of settings within the community.
Uncle Meera is a respected elder in the local Koori community. He facilitates the community group and sees the need in the local community, from those at risk of homelessness, to those who feel disenfranchised from mainstream medical services.
“People I see are not regularly seeking medical help or follow-up due to fear of navigating the health system,” says Mel.
Uncle Meera is also a regular client of Mel’s. He checks his blood sugar with her every fortnight – he has diabetes.
Mel sees a lot of diabetes. Some people didn’t even know they had it until her checks, so identifying health conditions is a really important part of the free service.
As Uncle Meera says, “a lot of our community don’t look after their diabetes, which can lead to gangrene and more. I know three people who have lost limbs.”
Many Aboriginal people don’t want to go to the local medical clinic because it’s so mainstream and clinical. So having a safe welcoming space to have their health checked is important.
Please consider donating to us today so we can continue. This program costs us just over $50,000 a year and we need $18,544.75 more between now and 30 June.
By identifying dangerously high blood pressure or blood sugar, heart attacks can be prevented and diabetes managed.
For people who are already dealing with so much, the opportunity to look after their health better is vital in preventing future major health crises.
Please donate today.