A Health Fair, aimed at providing various screening tests for employees at Malliouhana-Auberge Resort & Spa, was held there on Wednesday this week, with several health and insurance-related organisations participating.
The event was initiated by Mr. Russell Reid, the resort’s Director of Human Resources. “I contacted MASA (Medical Air Services Association), one of the leading sponsors of health fairs in Anguilla, because Auberge has a programme called “Planet Auberge,” he explained. “The programme looks at wellness of employees and assists communities in which Auberge’s hotels operate. It is through this arrangement that we want to help our staff in leading healthier lifestyles. Prevention is better than cure so anybody who can detect his or her diseases early has a chance of an early cure. Today is therefore an important day for Malliouhana-Auberge. It is the first health fair at the resort since I have been here, and we are hoping it will be a success.”
Mrs. Jennifer Gumbs, Senior Health Educator with the Health Authority of Anguilla, said that, in addition to her organisation, the other participating organisations were MASA (the main partner), NAGIO Insurance and Dungeon Gym.
The testing was for blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass, dental and foot conditions and HIV AIDS. There were also health counselling and free vouchers for cholesterol, PSA and vision tests.
Mrs. Gumbs stressed that the testing was of much importance given the high level of non-communicable chronic diseases affecting the population in Anguilla.