Scores visit Berbice Health Fair
DPI, Guyana, Friday, October 19, 2018
Residents of East Bank Berbice, New Amsterdam and East Canje Berbice today benefitted from medical services at the Berbice Health Fair.
The fair was hosted by Banks DIH Limited in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and partners. It was held at the Banks DIH tarmac, New Amsterdam and focused on breast cancer awareness and mental health issues. However, there were a variety of medical activities carried out such as blood pressure and blood sugar testing, dental care, kidney, prostate and cancer sensitisation, HIV testing, cervical cancer screening and mental health counselling.
Medical personnel from the Ministry of Public Health provided the blood pressure and eye tests. The HIV/AIDS counselling and testing was done by the National AIDS Programme Secretariat and dental check-ups by the Dental School.
The Guyana Cancer Institute (GCI) and the Guyana Cancer Foundation offered cervical and breast cancer screening and sensitisation sessions on prostate cancer and other men’s health issues, while the Guyana Business Coalition of Health Awareness (GBCHA) provided HIV/AIDS counselling and testing.
There was also a blood donation drive managed by the National Blood Transfusion Service and sampling of the company’s health products. GTM Insurance was also present to educate people on the importance and benefits of life insurance.
Banks DIH Limited Industrial Nurse, Sharon Mansell said she was extremely pleased with the overwhelming response to the Health Fair. According to Mansell, the turnout was much larger than any other crowd they have had in previously hosted health fairs.
“This Health Fair provided opportunities for residents of communities in close proximity of our operations at Banks DIH Berbice branch tarmac in New Amsterdam to receive medical services free of cost and they made full use of the occasion. There was a heavy focus on breast cancer and diabetes awareness because both are being observed in the month of October,” Nurse Mansell added.
Public Relations Officer of Banks DIH, Troy Peters highlighted that such annual activities are a form of giving back to consumers. According to Peters, last year’s health fair was held in Georgetown and saw many positive outcomes. This year, the company decided to offer Berbicians the same benefits. Next year, Peters said the fair will move to Linden.
The Mayor of New Amsterdam, Winnifred Haywood was also present at the opening and acknowledged the beverage company for welcoming such activity in the town.
Story and Images: Tanuja Raikha