mherv … matters of fact

• Each year in Australia more than 4 men die every hour from conditions that are potentially preventable – that’s 41,000 men a year!

• The mherv project is touring rural and regional NSW testing men for signs of ill health.  Most men in these areas don’t see their doctor for years at a time. Many just drop dead in the paddock or the pub, because nobody saw it coming.

• We think that they come to see mherv because through our publicity, the project raises awareness and the women-folk are urging them to be tested.

• High blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol do not show ‘symptoms’ … often until it’s too late!

. Since August 2017 10,237 people have been tested by the mherv project.

• 3917 test results didn’t prompt referral, although if the person hadn’t had a checkup for over a year, the nurse would strongly recommend that they set up a routine health check with their doctor.
There were 5871 people whose test results indicated that the person has a condition that a doctor would be likely to treat. They were not in immediate danger but were referred:                

• 436 men were in immediate danger… Usually because their blood pressure was through the roof. Because there are few recognisable symptoms they were unlikely to realise it. They were recommended to seek medical help right away.     
• We often say that of the 436, many would have had a serious heart attack or stroke if mherv’s test hadn’t alerted them.  It would not be too long a bow to draw, to say many of these lives were saved.
  

• We support and applaud other projects that are raising the issues of men’s health with literature and discussion.

• But as far as we know there is no other project that is actually doing something positive to save lives in this way.

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• Hundreds of local Rotarians and other volunteers are hosting the mherv visits throughout the state.

• Only one person is paid. The Registered Nurse who travels with the van and conducts the tests.

• Occasionally a Rotary Club will arrange for a local Community Nurse to assist with tests.

• A generous sponsor, The Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution has covered the cost of nursing services.

• The Premier’s office gave us a grant of $10,000 which has been used to buy the medical consumables needed to conduct the tests.

• The National breast screening programme has become recognised as a valuable life-saving, on-going project for Australian women.  If we can save the lives of some of the men-folk too, that will do much to extend their productive lives and potentially save many from becoming a burden on the public health system with premature chronic illness. Not to mention the loss and grief for families facing the unexpected death of a loved one.