UG Health Fair – A platform for future health professionals to be familiar with their community
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, August 25, 2018
Students attached to the University of Guyana (UG), School of Medicine, today, hosted a health and wellness fair at Republic Bank’s parking lot, as a way to give back to communities and citizens.
This annual fair is a collaborative effort between the university, Ministry of Public Health, and the National Blood Transfusion Service, among others. Patrons were offered services ranging from eye tests, blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index testing.
Doctors and senior medical students dispensed advice on hypertension, diabetes and steps to ensure a healthy lifestyle so to avoid chronic diseases. Among the other booths offering information to the public was the National Aids Program Secretariat. Some members of the public also took time out to donate blood.
Nicholas Elliot, President, University of Guyana Medical Students Society (UGMSS), told Department of Public Information (DPI) that this initiative is aligned with the institution’s mission for future health professionals to become involved and familiar with the community. This, he said, includes providing a forum for citizens to have their checkups and enquire about issues affecting them.
“Another purpose of this event is to highlight the fifth-year project…. this year, one of the groups focused on prostate cancer and so this event offered the fifth-year (students) a forum that they can use to display the results of their research that they would have conducted and any other information concerning that topic,” Elliot explained.
He said the students are hopeful that they will be able to host another health fair in September. Elliot said should this be realised, the invitation to attend is extended to fellow students and lecturers of the university as well as members of the public.
By: Neola Damon
Images by Kwaise Wishart