The East La Penitence Health Centre last Tuesday hosted a community health fair to raise awareness of chronic diseases as part of the activities of the Ministry of Health to mark Caribbean Wellness Month.
In the compound of the health centre, several booths were set up where visitors could access various health services and receive pertinent information on nutrition, immunization, blood pressure and leprosy, among others. Additionally, information on admission to the nursing and management programmes offered by the ministry was available to the public and school children.
Carol Joseph, Coastland Coordinator of Regional Health Services at Ministry of Health, said that while chronic diseases have no cure, one can live the healthiest possible life with them. As a result, the focus of the fair was on providing information to curb unhealthy lifestyles and promote access to various health services.
The booths covered several ailments and persons were made use of the services offered. Several persons utilised the blood pressure testing services offered by booth one, where a nurse also provided information on types of blood pressure. A digestive booth which focused on designing meal plans with adequate portions was also set up. A number of dishes, snacks and beverages were on display and illustrated what should constitute the various meals of the day.
A display of various prosthetic pieces was put on by the Physiotherapy Depart-ment of the Georgetown Hospital and provided information on the services offered at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. Joseph explained that diabetes is one of the diseases which if left untreated could lead to amputation, necessitating the use of prostheses.
For those who needed immunization against yellow fever, H1N1 and other viruses, information and vaccines were available on site. Information about leprosy was widely present, since it is said to be a disease which is neglected and often goes undetected and/or misdiagnosed until it is in its advanced state, where nothing could be done. In addition to those services, screenings for cervical cancer, eye examinations and dental work were also done.
The third Caribbean Wellness Day was held on September 11 under the theme ‘Love that Body, Make it Last.’ The day was observed since 2008 and seeks to garner action by Caribbean governments to promote preventative measures to stem the tide of lifestyle-related diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and those relating to the heart which account for 60% of deaths in the Caribbean.
