With entertainment and lunch at Swaminarayan Complex, Papatoetoe from 10 am
Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 6, 2023
Members of the South Asian Communities including people of Indian, Fiji Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Tibetan and Afghani origin will have a rare opportunity of having a free medical check-up next weekend.
Called, ‘My Health Journey,’ the half-day event, from 10 am to 2 pm is being hosted by the Swaminarayan Temple Trust and the Heart Foundation of New Zealand to raise awareness on health among the identified communities and help people to lead healthy lives.
The address is 10–12 Wentworth Ave, Papatoetoe, Auckland.
Studies have indicated that the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure is high among South Asian Communities and that while prevention is the best method of staying healthy, early detection and treatment also help.
Heart Foundation of New Zealand Medical Director Dr Gerry Devlin said that the rate of heart disease among these communities is higher than others in New Zealand.
“Because of their higher rates of heart disease, South Asian people need to start regular heart checks with their GP at an earlier age than New Zealand Europeans. People of South Asian origin (as defined in this story), should have their first heart check when they are 30 years old, and those with serious mental illness when they are 25 years old,” he said.
Further information can be obtained from
heartfoundation.org.nz/wellbeing/managing-risk/your-risk.
Additional Reading: https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/about-us/news/blogs/asian-health-in-nz-a-worrying-picture
About the Event
Swaminarayan Temple Trustee and Co-Founder and Director of Tamaki Health Ranjna Patel said that the forthcoming event on June 17, 2023, will accord a great opportunity for people to find out more about their personal risk of heart disease and learn what actions they can take to reduce that risk. With entertainment and activities for children and lunch provided for all, this would be a Family Day out,” she said.
Among the services that will be available at the event would be heart disease screening, blood pressure checks, pulse checks, bowel screening, do-it-yourself cervical swabs (for those eligible) and breast screening. Water safety services and stop-smoking services will also be available.
“Alongside the health providers, people will also have the opportunity to try Bollywood dancing, enjoy a free lunch and be in to win spot prizes including $300 worth of supermarket vouchers. There will also be face-painting and other activities for the children,” she said.
As well as the Heart Foundation, other organisations supporting the event are Tāmaki Health, Total Healthcare, Local Doctors, Stroke Foundation, Stop Smoking Services, Drowning Prevention Auckland, and Wahine Charitable Trust.
