Pathfinder project to improve health of South Asians
Prince Charles unveils a plaque commemorating his visit at the launch
of the South Asian health programme |
Health education and access to services for South Asian communities in Coventry received a boost this week with the launch of an integrated community programme and outpatient suite in the local Muslim health centre as well as a healthy living magazine.
The programme was launched by Apnee Sehat (“Our health” in
Punjabi), one of 26 Department of Health social enterprise pathfinder
projects. It has been commissioned by Coventry Primary Care Trust and
part funded by pharmaceutical companies, including Merck Sharpe & Dohme,
Sanofi-Aventis and AstraZeneca.
Apnee Sehat aims to tackle health inequalities and improve the health
of the South Asian community by working in partnership with PCTs and
other providers, including pharmacies, to implement a range of services
with the aim of preventing hospital admissions.
The services identify
cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension,
educate the community on risk factors pertinent to their genetic predisposition
and lifestyle, support behavioural change and deliver services that are
culturally sensitive.
A pilot in Leamington
Spa (PJ, 3 March 2007, p238), which has been running
since 2005, has shown that the project raises health awareness among
the local community, with 91 per cent of service users claiming to have
made a lifestyle change to reduce their risk.
Sukhjihan Gill, a community pharmacist in Wednesbury, volunteers at the
Leamington Spa clinic, which is based inside a Sikh temple. He gives
advice on medicines, lifestyle changes and diet.
“Pharmacists have a key role and need to get involved in the project,” he
told The Journal. He added that the project lead, consultant diabetologist
Shirine
Boardman, is keen for pharmacists to get involved.
The new magazine Apnee Health gives dietary advice, including healthy
glycaemic index recipes and lifestyle recommendations. Local pharmacists in Coventry
are
being encouraged to engage with the South Asian population and to offer the magazine.
Keith Ridge, chief pharmaceutical officer for England, who attended the launch
along with the Prince of Wales, national clinical director for diabetes Rowan
Hillson, and NHS Alliance chairman Michael Dixon, said: “I am delighted
to support this important initiative, which demonstrates that health services
can be brought to the doorstep of patients, where they are most needed.
“As our
recently published pharmacy White
Paper demonstrates, patients with long-term
conditions, including diabetes, will increasingly be able to access support
on the high street through local pharmacies.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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