Sophia outreach highlights Men’s health
DPI, Guyana, Monday, June 18, 2018
Several Sophia fathers were honoured by Ministry of Public Health today at a Health Outreach hosted at the ‘C’ Field Sophia Health Centre. The programme is aimed at heightening awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
This exercise was a collaborative effort between the ministry and the Sophia Health Centre.
In brief remarks, Coordinator of the ministry’s Men’s Health Unit, Dr. Dennis Bassier, thanked the staff of the centre for helping to launch the initiative. He shared his optimism that the programme would become an annual event helping to educate and provide health services to men and boys.
Dr. Bassier applauded the men who attended for their participation, noting that it was a demonstration of their interest in their health and by extension their families’ health that of the community.
“When you hear men’s health, you think prostate cancer, however, there is much more under this topic such family planning because we need men to start to taking care of their families and this will lead to betterment for families, communities and the country, as a whole,” Dr. Bassier said.
In an invited comment one of the participants, Dennis Gomes told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he was happy to have been a part of the exercise as he received new insights and got the opportunity to listen to the insight of older fathers involved in the programme.
“It was a good experience, I learnt a few new things during this programme. It was a good exposure for everyone especially the young people and I hope that they (Sophia Health Centre) are able to do this next year with more persons attending,” Gomes said.
Gideon Garraway expressed hope that today’s participants will encourage others to join the health centre and play a more active role in their health.
During the month of June, Men’s health will be highlighted across the country with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and educational outreaches.
By: Neola Damon.
Images: Karime Peters.