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All welcome at diabetes hui


Arowhenua Health Clinic nurse Maree Rowley knows that diabetes is a disease that steals quality of life.


She also knows that educating people is key to understanding, and understanding is key to improving health.


That is why the health clinic is holding a hui on the subject, and everyone is invited - Maori and non-Maori, people with or without diabetes, young and old.


Mrs Rowley said diabetes is a lifestyle disease.


"Smoking, not exercising, diet, weight, age, ethnicity are all contributing factors," she said.


"Until I started studying my post-graduate certificate in diabetes I didn't realise it is such a huge disease.


"You hear adverts drone on about diabetes, but I didn't realise how it robs people of their quality of life. It robs people not just personally, but it costs their contribution to the workforce, their families and communities,- personally and financially.


"I'll do anything I can to reduce that cost.


"The more information people have the more they can manage themselves and trip-ups become fewer. It's about giving them information and letting them make choices."


Small hui have been held monthly and attendance had mostly been gained through word of mouth, but the upcoming meeting is expected to be bigger and better.


Community dietician Tim Brosnahan will be speaking about packaging labels.


"Food labels can sometimes be helpful and not so helpful," Mrs Rowley said.


Arowhenua Health Clinic GP Dr Tahir Ayub will also be speaking and answering questions.


"Knowing what the concerns are and education is king, we need to be proactive rather than reactive. This opportunity is free, it's open to anybody, and anyone who is educated about diabetes and makes changes and choices to improve their overall health, that has to be a good thing," Mrs Rowley said.


Although Arowhenua Whanau Services is Maori-based, Mrs Rowley wants to make it clear that it is open to everyone.


"It's absolutely not exclusive. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry is more than welcome, so is their family, their whanau, friends ... anyone.


"I think some people feel that if they come out to Arowhenua they're unsure, they feel like they might do something wrong.


"I've always found everyone welcoming and warm and wonderful really. And I've never been frightened to ask if I'm unsure," Mrs Rowley said.


Arowhenua Whanau Services is funded by the South Canterbury District Health Board, and is a nurse-led clinic that provides free healthcare to anyone who needs it.


Mrs Rowley encourages more people to make the most of the service.


The Hui will be held at the Arowhenua Marae from 2pm to 4pm on August 14. Attendees are asked to bring a can or a packet of non-perishable food to study the label.


It will then be collected and donated to families in need.


SOUTH CANTERBURY HERALD - © Fairfax NZ News Comments
Title : All welcome at diabetes hui
Published on : Thursday, July 25, 2013
Category : Diabetes
Post URL : http://internal-med.blogspot.com/2013/07/all-welcome-at-diabetes-hui.html

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