Anguilla observed Caribbean Wellness Day on Friday, September 27th. Elsewhere in the region, communities had held their Wellness Day observance on Saturday, September 14th, with focus on the aging population, under the theme: “Healthy Aging Starts Now”.
Anguilla marked the special day on Friday with its annual National Health Fair which was held — from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon — at the Ronald Webster Park. There, residents of all ages took advantage of visiting strategically placed booths for free health checks and tests which were sponsored by the Health Authority of Anguilla, the Cancer Society, MASA, and FLOW.
Among the free medical services offered to the public were: blood pressure testing, blood sugar checks, body mass index (bmi) various types of cancer tests (including prostate, breast and ovarian), HIV screening, vision testing, dental checks, foot care, etc. Even massages were offered where necessary. Persons were issued with vouchers which they would present within two weeks at the hospital for more specialized, intricate tests procedures which could not have been undertaken on the health fair grounds.
Under the dental unit booth, The Anguillian spoke to Senior Dental Surgeon, Dr. Bhaven Modha. He said: “People are coming here to see us on a screening basis. We look inside their mouths, give them oral hygiene advice and dietary advice, and we encourage them to come to the clinic so that we can resolve any problems they have.”
The Anguillian also spoke with Mr. Donald Curtis, the local Managing Director of MASA. He remarked that the objective of the event was for people to be sensitized to their need to take charge of their own health. He observed: “Early detection is key. With diabetes being so rampant and cancer on the rise, people need to be responsible for their health and take advantage of these free annual wellness programs through the National Health Fair.”
When asked what the turnout was like, Mr. Donald responded: “It has been quite encouraging all day, I must say. We have accommodated quite a number of persons, and we have issued quite a number of vouchers by which they can claim their detailed tests at the hospital.”
Mrs. Dana Ruan, former registered nurse and past President of the Anguilla Diabetic Association, manned the blood sugar and blood pressure booth. According to her, the Association has participated in many health fairs throughout the years. She said: “We have done blood sugar and blood pressure checks all across the island. We have tested the police, the taxi-drivers, post office workers, bank workers and church groups.”
Nurse Dana said that, primarily, her group is in the business of conducting blood sugar and blood pressure checks for the health benefit of the community. She said that they also give advice for healthy eating, and should they discover persons who are susceptible to high cholesterol, then they refer them to a doctor at once. Nurse Dana and her team’s prime interest is to maintain optimum health for the people of Anguilla. She says that she has been working in National Health Fairs for the past seven years.
– Staff Reporter, James Harrigan
