OPINION
Rural communities ( taiwhenua hapori) always seem to find a way to overcome any challenge that pops up.
We’ve known for some time that there’s a need for more investment in health (hauora) services in rural areas and that distance is often a barrier to care.
That’s prompted a number of groups to meet that challenge by taking health professionals to the people who need them.
In 2020, Farmers Weekly publisher AgriHQ brought to life the brainchild of rural advocate Craig Wiggins in the form of The Glob.
The Glob is a caravan fitted out specifically for general health checks at rural community events and spaces, with a GP, nurses and other volunteers all playing their part.
It’s still going strong and was out in the field at last weekend’s Cross Hills Fair in Manawatū, giving free health checks to attendees.
Breast Cancer New Zealand has been doing something similar since 2014, travelling the country in Pinkie, a pink caravan staffed with nurses to educate people about breast cancer and how to detect it.
Now the charity is fundraising for a new state-of-the-art pink campervan, which will allow its team of specialist nurses to reach more women in New Zealand’s most isolated rural communities.
Latest figures show the regions that have the lowest participation rates in the national breast-screening programme are Waikato at 56.3%, Gisborne at 58.7%, Northland at 63% and Bay of Plenty at 63.3%.
Obviously the best solution would be more funding for rural health.
Let’s hope that happens, but in the meantime people like BCNZ are taking healthcare to the people who are harder to reach.
Funnily enough, this week one of the largest rural get-togethers around kicks off at Mystery Creek.
After a few years of delays and cancellations, organisers are hoping the summer weather will bring the jandal-wearing punters flocking to Fieldays.
And, after a tough winter and the prospect of mounting costs and regulations, farmers will no doubt enjoy some time off the farm to chew the fat with friends and vendors.
Fieldays, A&P shows, farmer meetings and community work are a big part of what keeps our rural communities resilient and connected.
A problem shared is a problem halved, as they say, and there’s nothing more refreshing than giving doubts, frustrations, dreams and plans a good airing with someone you trust.
It sure beats putting them at the mercy of the social media algorithms, which are designed to find the people who disagree, not the ones with a constructive comment or a word of support.
Health is a big part of Fieldays as well, and this year the hub will be offering advice and a range of checkups including blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, hepatitis C testing and skin cancer spot checks, among others.
At three times the size of the last event, the hub should be a mandatory stop-off for everyone to be sure they’re farm fit.
Mental health is also a focus, which is great to see. For too long we’ve been socialised to be fine with putting a band-aid on a cut, but not treating a problem with the top two inches.
And, as we all know, a farmer’s greatest asset is their ability to observe, think, analyse and make sound decisions.
A healthy mind is a healthy farm business.