Women’s and Children’s Health Checks Program

On the 25th of May UTHS hosted the Women’s and Kids Health Checks Program at the Healthy for Life building. The program featured child’s entertainment, a raffle contest, giveaway packs for the children and a hairdresser, while health checks were completed by nursing staff and a GP, in addition to ear and eye screening by audiologists and an optometrist.

UTHS facilitated health promotion by providing a healthy lunch for participants, social workers for the emotional wellbeing of participants, take home entertainment packs for children with health information, nutrition education, toothbrushes/toothpaste and toys, and children’s books given to UTHS by theAboriginal Literacy Foundation.

Children’s entertainment on the day was provided by the Starlight Foundation who sent two Captain Starlight entertainers; Captain Noisy and Captain Bubbles, to provide activities and fun for the kids. This was a huge hit with the younger children in the community. Children also enjoyed the jumping castle, which was another success on the day, while also promoting physical activity and social interaction with other children.

For all community members who took part in health screen, their name was placed in a draw to win home kitchen appliances in a raffle contest. First place prize was an air-fryer, second place was a toaster and third place was kettle.

The day proved to be a huge success, with approximately 50 community members participating in the event. 19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health checks completed and 45 people seen by the audiologist and optometrist. This was an excellent turn out, based on numbers of participants at previous programs and involvement within the Coober Pedy community. We hope our next program is as successful and enjoyable as this.