With about 800 persons having attended the first Annual Health Fair, spearheaded by Dr Ellis Lorenzo Webster, and involved a team of specialists from the United States and local assistants, Dr Webster described the event as a great success.
The day-long fair, which had as its theme “A Healthy Nation is a Wealthy Nation”, was held at the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School on Saturday, January 31, and continued into the late evening.
“I was very happy that the doctors chose to come down to help us conduct the testing, screening and evaluating people and doing it free. That was one of the things that impressed me – that they would come,” Dr Webster told The Anguillian. “Certainly, I thought the response would have been much less than it was. I was overwhelmed that…over 800 people showed up. The specialists from the USA performed such services as Blood Pressure checks, Prostate exams, Breast exams, Glucose tests, vision tests, Cardiology, Orthopaedic, Paediatric and ENT evaluations.
“I was significantly surprised that so many came out, and that by 8 o’clock in the morning we already had some 120 people already registered, some of them standing out there after five o’clock, they said, so that they could get in. It must be realised that healthcare is a top priority in Anguilla and that the delivery of our healthcare system needs to be upgraded. But we need to have access to quality care.”
The Anguillian Ear, Nose and Throat specialist continued: “One of the things that I am a proponent of, is that we should have specialists taking care of people in Anguilla; and this health fair helps to show me I am on the right track. We wanted to finish the health fair at 4.00 pm, at the latest, but we were here until after 7.00 pm because we certainly didn’t want to have anybody left out. As I said, the large turnout was unexpected but it was good. Some of these doctors have already put in their applications to register to work in Anguilla on a rotation basis. The others, who haven’t yet put in their applications, said they are willing to come and work here. That is something I look forward to so that we can have the specialist clinic going to take care of Anguillians.”
Dr Webster said he was now going through all the records and recommendations made by the doctors for treatment or diagnostic testing. “I am going through all the recommendations and will make sure that those patients with medical conditions see Health Authority doctors or other doctors in the community,” he explained. “I will be making referrals so that they can get the tests that were recommended. The visiting doctors have been good enough to say that when the tests are done, I can get them the results – they will make a determination as to whether any treatment is needed, what that treatment would be. I will then sit down with the patients and explain how we need to coordinate what needs to be done. If it is something not available in Anguilla, such as orthopaedic services, we will have to ensure that treatment can be obtained elsewhere.”
Dr Webster expressed thanks to a number of persons who were involved in the success of the health fair. He had this to say. “I would like to thank the doctors who came at their own expense and because they are friends of mine and we worked in the Florida community; Dr Singh, the Paediatrician [from the Health Authority] who came and helped us; local Nurses who came out – some retired, and others who are still working with the Health Authority or with other doctors and who did screening and blood pressure checks; the volunteer team from Island Harbour and East End, who came out and made sure that people got registered and got from station to station; our caterer, Charmaine Lake and other volunteers. We also had donations of drinks and water from Mr David Hodge of Tropical Flower. I also wish to thank the Principal of the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School, Mrs Mavis Fleming-Drakes, and Chief Education Officer, Mrs Rhonda Connor, for making the school available for the health fair.”
He added: “All in all, the health fair was a success because the community helped to make sure that this happened.”
A press release stated that: “The event, which is estimated to have saved Anguillians over US$100,000 in medical costs, saw many first-time visits to a doctor and first-time visits by specialists. There was significant public appreciation for this timely event.”
Meanwhile, members of the visiting team of specialists expressed delight in assisting the people of Anguilla, and with the beauty of the island.
