Healthy expansion

An award winning potentially life-saving community health program pioneered in Myrtleford has secured funding to continue and expand into next year. Myrtleford's Alba Health has successfully gained further funding through the Murray Primary Health Network (PHN) until the end of June 2026, to continue to deliver the Healthy Hearts Program to the community, as well as extending it to include a lung health screening and intervention program. Now known as the Healthy Hearts and Lungs Program (HHLP), its primary goal is to identify individuals who may have undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma and individuals who are eligible for the national lung cancer screening program. "Given the area’s history of tobacco growing, general farming and industrial sectors, there is potential for undiagnosed chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and asthma," Alba Health practice manager and exercise physiologist, Greta Donaldson said. "We have been fortunate enough to engage Dr Maitri Munsif, medical lead for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the Northern Hospital in Epping, to consult with us as part of our expanded program. "Dr Munsif will see patients via telehealth once a quarter, bulk-billed for patients in the program needing to see a respiratory specialist. "New patients will go through the comprehensive heart and lung screening program, where we also identify those needing to have a lung function test or a low dose CT scan. "A lung function test can be arranged to be completed at Alba Health and measures how much and how fast you can get air out of your lungs. "If you have been through the Healthy Hearts Program before and want to have a lung check, you can contact Alba Health to arrange a 15 minute appointment, to go through the screening process and identify if you are suitable for lung function testing or low dose CT." Both returning and new patients can call the clinic to book an appointment on 5751 1138 for free. "We especially want to see people who have a current or former smoking history, anyone with a new, persistent, or changed cough, routinely coughing up mucus or phlegm, out of breath more easily than others their age, experiencing chest tightness or a wheeze, experiencing recurrent chest infections or who have worked in a job which exposed them to dust, gas, or fumes," Ms Donaldson said. "If you have been through the Healthy Hearts Program and not yet completed the free eight week exercise group and education program, contact the clinic."

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