Speaker: Ang Rainham, Programme Director, Midcentral DHB
Introduction: Ang Rainham introduced the Healthy Homes Initiative to the Milson Rotary Club. Healthy Home is a nationwide programme to reduce housing-related hospitalisations among children. After a successful RFP submission, the Midcentral DHB implemented this programme, focusing on education, advocacy, and providing practical resources to improve living conditions.
Healthy Homes Initiative's profound impact on improving the lives and health of children and families in the community.
Programme Overview:
- The initiative serves families across tenures, primarily focusing on education and advocacy.
- In 2023, 305 low-income families living in cold, damp, and unhealthy homes were referred to the programme.
- Referrals come from various sources, including well-child providers, doctors' surgeries, and community health teams.
- Eligibility and Impact:
- Eligibility includes children 0-19 years old hospitalized for housing-related conditions, pregnant women/newborns, low-income families with 0-5-year-olds, and families with a history of rheumatic fever.
- Key interventions include primary education on healthy living environments, practical tools like condensation collectors and mould control kits, and minor home repairs.
- The programme also provides temperature gauges, curtains, landlord advocacy, and installations like heating solutions, alongside referrals to other assistance programmes.
Challenges and Needs:
- A significant challenge is providing beds and cots for families in need, which Ang highlighted by a case study of a solo mother with triplets who benefited greatly from the provision of three cots.
- Funding is a major concern, and external financial support is needed to supplement core funding and meet the programme's growing demands.
Conclusion: Ang Rainham concluded with a heartfelt appeal for support from our Rotary Club, emphasizing the Healthy Homes Initiative's profound impact on improving the lives and health of children and families in the community. The personal stories and the visible joy of beneficiaries underscore the programme's significance and the urgent need for additional funding.