The Welches Polyclinic now has a new and well-needed device called a defibrillator – thanks to Anguilla Stronger which, together with the Health Authority of Anguilla, hosted a Health & Wellness Fair at the Sandy Ground Ballfield on Saturday, April 7, in observance of World Health Day.
The defibrillator is a piece of scientific equipment that gives a high-energy electric shock to the chest wall of a patient who is in cardiac arrest. Called defibrillation, the treatment is an essential life-saving step in the chain of survival.
The device was presented to Minister of Health, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, by Ms. Jaimee Connor, local representative of the Anguilla Stronger Relief Centre at Four Seasons. Mr. Rogers, who is committed to the provision of state-of the-art equipment and improved health services in Anguilla, said, on receiving the gift:
“I am grateful for the donation of this defibrillator for the Welches Polyclinic and, by extension, for the people of Anguilla. I also take this opportunity to thank our many healthcare professionals who have been working through really tough times and circumstances with respect to limited pieces of equipment. This will go a long way in helping us to upgrade and enhance our stock of equipment. I wish to thank all those involved in Anguilla Stronger and the wide array of other contributors. Together, we in Anguilla are much stronger.”
The Anguilla Stronger initiative, which followed the impact of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017, is being led by Mrs. Beth Shanholtz, wife of Mr. Roy Shanholtz, Vice President Hotel Asset Management at the Starwood Capital Group.
As she busily supervised the activities of the Anguilla Stronger well-attended Health and Wellness Fair, Mrs. Shanholtz told The Anguillian: “This is a Health & Wellness Fair hosted by Anguilla Stronger, and the Health Authority of Anguilla, and we have various services that are being offered. Everything is complimentary.
“At the first tent the Anguilla Red Cross is checking everyone’s vitals – blood sugar, blood pressure and conditions like that. At the second tent, we have doctors on staff meeting with everyone who can ask questions about their health. At the third tent, we have a Dentist and an Eye Doctor checking everyone’s teeth and eyes. The massage tent is giving free neck, shoulder and back massages. We have free lunch; fitness classes throughout the day. So we have had yoga classes and a stretch class; there is a barber giving free haircuts at the back tent; a foot-care tent where free pedicures are being given; and we are also having raffle prizes all day long and free gifts for everyone. There is a also a bouncing castle for kids.”
“What is the focus of the whole event”? Mrs. Shanholtz was asked.
“This is about Anguilla Stronger on World Health Day, and Anguilla Stronger wanting to do something to help Anguillians who can’t afford to go the doctor to get medical care for some basic services. We had someone here earlier who was sent to the hospital because the blood sugar was too low; the blood pressure of someone else was high and we asked them to go to the hospital. It is a chance where, if people, especially since the hurricane, haven’t made their health a priority, it is a good opportunity for them to do so today – and everything is complimentary and we are partnering with the Anguilla Health Authority.”
Now that it is seven months since the hurricane, Mrs. Shanholtz was asked whether Anguilla Stronger was still actively engaged in providing relief supplies.
“Yes, we are still giving out free food every week and we are doing events like this,” she responded. “We also had a movie night we hosted here on the ballfield for everyone on the island and we showed two movies. All the employees [at the four hotels involved in Anguilla Stronger] are still eligible to receive aid. These are Four Seasons, Belmond Cap Juluca, Malliouhana and Zemi Beach.”
