6. MARYAN STREET (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Has he received any reports on new health initiatives which will benefit New Zealand children?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes, I have. Yesterday a comprehensive, free health check for 4-year-olds began in Wanganui, and today a second pilot begins in Counties Manukau. From February next year the roll-out will begin nationally. The Government’s aim is to have every 4-year-old child in this country ready and able to learn.
Indeed there is. The first Labour Government introduced free, comprehensive health checks for our children 60 years ago. Back then Labour was particularly looking for malnutrition amongst our children, and children’s health camps were established in response to what was found. Today’s checks, however, are probably even more comprehensive. They involve hearing, eyesight, height, weight, oral health, and so on, as well as any behavioural issues or developmental concerns that parents might identify.
Barbara StewartWill additional assistance be available for the parents of those children who are revealed during the course of the B4 School checks to have serious problems requiring specialist help?
Yes, it will be available. Where necessary, a child will be referred to a health service or to an education or social service. Indeed, one of the reasons we are piloting this programme in Wanganui and Counties Manukau, starting this week, is to ensure we have sufficient capacity for such referrals.
Sue KedgleyHas he received any reports about the likely health implications for New Zealand children of Chinese-made clothing, some of which have been found to contain formaldehyde at levels far exceeding those that the World Health Organization says can cause eye, skin, and nasal irritations, respiratory problems, asthma, and, in the long-term, cancer; if so, what is his ministry doing to ensure that New Zealand children are not exposed to unsafe clothing?
I have not received any formal reports on that issue in the last day. I have, however, read a report from Wayne Temple, who heads up the Poisons Centre in Dunedin, to the effect that formaldehyde in clothing is capable of causing a range of skin problems—dermatitis and the like—but is unlikely to be a source of respiratory or oncological problems.