Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay Stages Diabetes Health Fair

Scores of residents from communities across St. James received free health checks during the Kiwanis Club of Montego Bay’s annual Diabetes Health Fair.

The event, held in Sam Sharpe Square on November 2, was in observance of Diabetes Awareness Month.

It was sponsored by the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), BeWell Consultants LLC, National Health Fund (NHF) and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

Club President, Hugh Miller, noted that the initiative, which is in its 10th year, continues to expand.

In addition to the usual diabetes, cholesterol, heart, eyes, HIV, blood pressure and blood glucose tests, this year’s staging included chair massages, counselling and fitness sessions.

Health tips were also provided throughout the day, and children with diabetes received advice on how to manage the condition.

Acting Regional Dietitian, WRHA, Asha-Gaye Thompson, pointed out that the main concern of patients with diabetes is that “they feel like they have to restrain themselves from the different types of [foods] that are available.”

“So we emphasise that there is no bad food. It’s the way that the food is prepared and how much they consume that really has a negative impact on them,” she pointed out.

For her part, Chief Officer at BeWell Consultants, Dorothy Brown, emphasised the importance of persons taking care of their health, as diabetes cases continue to rise globally.

“With food prices increasing, it makes it more difficult for people to get healthier options. So diabetes is one of those things that’s significantly important for people to be able to understand what it is and also to be able to manage it,” she pointed out.

Beneficiary, Dahlia Ricketts, said she was grateful for the medical services provided.

“It is very beneficial… and very convenient. Some people don’t have the time to go to the hospital or the clinics. [So the health fair is] a quick way for them to get all their medical information,” she told JIS News.