Aids discussed at health meeting

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 3, 16 June 1987, Page 10

Aids discussed at health meeting

AID's education in schools and in the community came under discussion at the Waimarino Health Watch committee meeting held last week. The members of the committee agreed that there was growing awareness of the virus in New Zealand, through advertising, newspaper reports, television and features in magazines. A comment was made that Ohakune is not immune to the problem due to the fact that thousands of visitors come to the area during the ski season. In other parts of the country the use of condoms to combat the spread of AIDS is being actively

encouraged. The availability of condoms in retail outlets in this area was discussed at the meeting. A survey conducted by a member of the committee showed that one supermarket in the Ohakune/Raetihi area stocks condoms and another is in the process of organising the sale of them. Gontinued education of the public into ways of preventing the spread of AID's was favoured by the committee. A sub-committee to organise the setting up of a cervical smear testing clinic in Raetihi and Ohakune was formed at the meeting. T emporary locum for Raetihi, Dr Jonathon Jones, who was guest at the meeting told the committee he would support the clinic. The committee will work in conjunction with Ohakune's Dr Perera. It was suggested that publicity of the service should be made through the local radio station which goes on air in Ohakune in mid-July. Dr Jonathon Jones advised the committee that he will be finishing his work at the practice in Raetihi around 20 September. Dr Jones said he is returning to England and has obligations there in early October. Raetihi's new permanent doctor, Jim Corbett, was confirmed to arrive towards the end of November and some discussion of finding a locum to bridge the 8week gap took place. contd. pg. 14

Aids Discussion contd. from pg.10

Committee member also Raetihi's Mayor, Garrick Workman, suggested they begin advertising for the position now. Another suggestion was to consult medical practitioner lists to secure a locum. Ruapehu College's health education prog - ramme was discussed at length at the health watch meeting. Health Watch committee member and teacher at the college, Sue Allomes, said the college has had a clearly identifiable health education programme for 37 forms for the last five years. Mrs Allomes said the college has done a lot in that time and has followed the new health syllabus. She said it becomes mandatory next year for secondary schools to have a health programme of some form though the college has had such a programme in force for five years. A meeting of parents and staff concerning health education is to be held at the college on 18 June. Raetihi Public Health Nurse, Leigh Berry, informed the committee that the new community health rooms in Queen St, Raetihi are officially open and available for use by community organisations. One room of the refurbished house serves as Mrs Berry's office while there are spare rooms available. Mrs Berry suggested senior citizens' or fundraising organisations could use the facility, Bookings for the building will be taken by the Plunket Nurse, she said.