Last month when Rahui Katene suggested more public money be put into providing stomach stapling operations as an answer to obesity-related health complications I knew in my gut that it was the wrong message and needed to be challenged.
But I also know a couple of people for whom this type of operation has been extremely beneficial and has extended their life expectancy immensely. As a final option – when all other avenues have been explored – it should be considered.
Today, however, the completely arse-about-face approach to healthcare the National / Act / Maori Party government take has taken a step into the ludicrous.
Reports this morning bemoaning the additional costs to ACC of dancing-related accidents typify the thinking:
Prevention = Bad, Cure = Good
or
Long term plans = Bad, Short-term stats in time for the election = Good
Should we discourage kids from playing sport because they might get injured? Should we not go to the gym because we might pull a muscle? Should we all sit on the couch and watch TV or play Playstation rather than go for a walk as a family?
And having lived that type of lifestyle, will the Government then pick the tab on surgery to make it all OK?
There is no sense whatsoever in taking away the services that teach people to take responsibility for their own health and assist people to make early interventions and then putting more ambulances at the bottom of the cliff.
