It was a smaller gathering this past Thursday, with 12 members in attendance. We were pleased to welcome two guests: the "Jolly Doc" and our guest speaker, Joanne Hand from the NZ Kidney Society (NZKS).
Member News and Apologies
With George away, the one-minute sessions were brief. We also received an apology from Brian Shove, who has just returned home from the hospital following a knee operation. The club sends Brian our best wishes for a very speedy recovery.
Spotlight on the NZ Kidney Society
Joanne provided an insightful overview of the kidney disease landscape in New Zealand, specifically within Auckland.
- History: The Kidney Society was formed 40 years ago in response to the health situation in South Auckland.
- Funding: As a registered charity, they receive no government funding.
- Reach: Their services extend across Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, and Hawke’s Bay.
The NZKS supports the community through social workers, health education, and wellness programs. They also operate three community dialysis centres in partnership with the DHB. In this arrangement, the NZKS provides the space and amenities, while the DHB provides the medical equipment and staff.
These centres are vital in managing patient numbers and easing the pressure on the overburdened Middlemore Dialysis unit, with space for nine patients across the three locations. Remarkably, all services are provided free of charge. Joanne concluded her presentation with a specific request: the society needs to replace nine Lazy-Boy chairs used by patients at their centres.
#NZKidneySociety #RotaryDistrict9920