Health

The ICWPT (Inter Church Working Party on Taxation), of which visionnetwork is a member, this week made an excellent and concise submission on proposed changes to ACC. The ICWPT, which represents the major Christian churches in New Zealand, says ACC should revert to its original pre-1999 status as a "pay-as-you-go" personal injury insurer for all New Zealanders and return to the proper underwriting of its future liabilities. "Although by legislation ACC is obliged to act as though it were an insurance company, it is no longer undertaking proper underwriting. Insurance companies do not endeavour to fully fund future liabilities from current premiums, but rather they address that issue by maintaining prudent reserve levels and entering into re-insurance contracts. We submit that ACC should revert to that model," the organisation says. Click on the link below to read the full submission.

visionnetwork supports the work of Alcohol Action NZ, a lobby group bringing together churches, schools, health and medical services, social services, police, councils, iwi, and others concerned about the social and medical costs of excessive alcohol consumption in New Zealand.
The organisation is lobbying for tighter controls, in response to a discussion paper - Alcohol in our Lives - produced by the Law Commission, which recently reviewed the Sale of Liquor Act. Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer (right) said it was time to "curb the harm" alcohol caused, a view supported by judges, medical specialists and police. Click here to read the Law Commission's Commission's issue paper.
Alcohol Action NZ says the excessive presence of alcohol and its misuse is inflicting enormous social, medical and personal damage on our society. Its website (http://www.alcoholaction.co.nz) notes:
• At least 25% of New Zealand drinkers are heavy drinkers
• A third of all police apprehensions involve alcohol
• Half of serious violent crimes are related to alcohol
• 60 different medical conditions are caused by heavy drinking
• Up to 75% of adult presentations at hospital emergency departments on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are alcohol-related
• There are over 500 serious and fatal injury traffic crashes every year
• At least 600 children are born each year...

Opawa Baptist minister Steve Taylor suggests some practical ways churches can respond to Influenza A. "While this pandemic is not as severe as it might have been, Influenza A (H1N1) could affect one-third of the population over the next few months. The existing health and welfare systems may not be able to respond to this level of demand," he writes. "If this happens, the church has a potential opportunity to be the practical hands and feet of Jesus. Many churches have started thinking about this already and are keen to explore ways to offer a response." In Christchurch, there is currently an attempt to bring together a co-ordinated response across the city via a web-based volunteer self-registration website that can be accessed by health and council co-ordinator roles. This is an opportunity for churches and other community groups to come together in response to needs that emerge in the community, often in ways that existing services struggle to deal with. Ideally churches would: 1. Use their notices and networks to point people to www.fluinfo.org.nz or 0800 37 30 37 and encourage people to consider being volunteer in a range of practical ways, for example in areas like childcare and home visits. They can register from a link on www.fluinfo.org.nz . Non-patient contact functions are available if people are more comfortable with this option. Alerting health and council co-ordinators to the availability of volunteers will make a big difference. 2. As many are doing, prepare...

New Zealand, along with many other countries, went on high alert at the recent swine flu scare. This was partly due to fears that one day a pandemic could break out, as devastating as the influenza that killed many millions after World War I. New Zealand health authorities drew on the work done following the outbreak of bird flu or SARS in 2005-2006, quickly quarantining all those with suspected cases. Fortunately, few cases were confirmed in New Zealand and there have been remarkably few deaths worldwide.
At the time of the SARS scare, Visionnetwork organised interdenominational meetings. A number of resources were compiled to assist churches, and these can still be accessed at Visionnetwork's website:
1. A draft letter regarding pandemics that church leaders could send to churches. (Click here.)
2. Suggested protocols for churches in the event of a pandemic or other national emergency. (Click here.)
3. Rhys Lewis, a participant in the pandemic forum, offered some additional suggestions to churches. Some query whether the world has over-reacted in the current situation. Christianity Today magazine wrote: Christians believe that our faith helps us...

A draft letter regarding pandemics which church leaders could send to churches (NB - an updated version of this is being worked on which church leaders might jointly sign).

Suggested protocols for churches in the event of a pandemic or other national emergency, developed by Ron Malpass, Methodist Church, and National Executive Officer, The Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy.

 emergency-supplies-kit

spread_of_influenza How to stop the spread of germs
 

 pandemic_postings_4_july_06  pandemic_postings_13_sept_06

Rhys Lewis, a participant in the pandemic forum held in Wellington 4th July 2006 involving church, civil defence, and health representatives, offered two personal updates in July 2007.