Caribbean Wellness Day Health Fair 2017, under the annual theme: Love That Body, was deemed a success. The Caribbean Wellness Day Committee and the Health Promotion Unit would like to thank the main sponsor Medical Air Services Association (MASA) – and other sponsors: FLOW, School Health Department, the Diabetes Association, the Health Authority of Anguilla, Ministry of Health, La Severine Fitness, Xtreme Fitness, Environmental Health, St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Scouts & Guides Association and Valley Optic. All these credible organisations contributed greatly to the health and wellness of the population.
The Caribbean Wellness Day Health Fair was held on Friday 24th of November from 10 am to 4:00 pm on the Ruthwill Auditorium & St. Mary’s Church Grounds. The health fair, which is usually held in September as part of the activities marking Caribbean Wellness Day, had to be rescheduled due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Caribbean Wellness Day is an initiative of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Healthy Caribbean Coalition and the University of the West Indies. The day is dedicated to promoting health and well-being across the Caribbean Region.
During the health fair the following services were provided:
• Blood pressure testing
• Blood sugar testing
• Body Mass Index
• Foot care
• Health counselling
• Exercise demonstrations
• Environmental health
• Vouchers for offsite services included PSA, HIV, Pap smear, Vision and Cholesterol.
Health Checks Registry of Services Conducted:
Health Check/Services Total Screened
Body Mass Index – 59
Blood pressure – 102
Blood Sugar – 97
PSA – 71
Pap Smear – 20
Vision – 40
Cholesterol – 100
HIV – 14
A crucial component of Primary Health Care Services is prevention through education and screening which requires persons to know their status and be empowered to carry out the necessary behaviour change to improve their health. Disease prevention is always much more efficient and cost-effective
than treatment and can result in prolonged longevity of life for all.
The Caribbean Wellness Committee would again like to thank the sponsors and the general public for their continual support. We take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and we look forward to serving you in 2018.
-Contributed
