Scores of Seniors Benefit from Health Fair

Scores of seniors and other residents of Mandeville turned out at the Iris Scarlett Recreation Centre yesterday (Sept. 28) for the annual senior citizens health fair. The fair, held under the theme: ‘Your Health Is Your Responsibility’, was organized by the National Council for Senior Citizens and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, as part of activities to mark Senior Citizens Month.
Seniors benefited from free blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), eye tests, height and weight checks, while diabetics were taught how to take care of their feet.
Services were provided by organizations such as the Diabetes Foundation of Jamaica, Mandeville Caregivers Institute, Blue Cross of Jamaica, Red Cross of Jamaica, Southern Regional Mobile Clinic, Northern Caribbean University Nursing Department and the Herbal Life Company.
Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Faith Innerarity, who declared the event open, said “it is very important that our senior citizens are in the best of health, which is why there are several public programmes such as the health scheme under the National Insurance, NI Gold, JADEP (Jamaica Drugs for the Elderly Programme), and the NHF (National Health Fund) where benefits are provided for our seniors”.
She added that “senior citizens . must be very conscious of health-related issues, hence an event such as this. I’m very pleased with the number of persons here today, who have come out to be tested and also with the wide participation that we have from the health community. The only thing I would ask for is that more . men participate”.
Meanwhile, Chairman for Senior Citizens Week, Merel Hanson, expressed pleasure at the turnout. “I feel very elated about the.numbers that are here. When we call seniors to a function, they always respond”.Other organizations, which participated in the day’s activities, included the National Health Fund (NHF), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), the Manchester Fire Department and Barita Investments Limited.