The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, in collaboration with the Dennery Hospital and Faces of Development, hosted a transformative Health Fair as part of the STEAM Summer Programme.

The event served to deepen the understanding of health and wellness among young participants and the local community.

Initiated on August 2 at the Clendon Mason Memorial Secondary School, the Health Fair brought together various departments from the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, who set up informative booths and demonstration areas offering free health screenings and information on health related issues to young participants and residents.

Dr. Xysta Edmund, Vice President of Faces of Development, shared insights into the Summer Programme.

“Facing the Development is a community group focused on addressing community problems. We collaborate with other community groups and agencies, focusing on youth development, community development, creating safe spaces for children, and empowering communities. This summer camp has been hosted for about four years now, with the last three years focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math.”

Attendees engaged in interactive question-and-answer sessions that covered a broad spectrum of health and wellness topics, from nutrition and hygiene to mental health awareness. Principal Nursing Officer at the Dennery Hospital, Yolanda Alcindor, elaborated on the extensive health education provided at the event.

“The children, aged 8 to 15 years, along with the general public, received education on nutrition, environmental health, vector control, water storage, dental hygiene, substance abuse, metabolic syndrome, and noncommunicable diseases.”

Substance Abuse Secretariat Caleb Paul emphasized the importance of substance abuse education: “Our focus today is examining the effects of substances. Part of our mandate is to increase awareness of substance abuse and knowledge related to drug trends on the island. Currently, we are focusing on drugs like cannabis and the concerning trend of early alcohol use among children, starting as young as 10 years old.”

The Health Fair not only provided essential health services and information but also significantly impacted the youth and local community by empowering them to take charge of their health and well-being.

This collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, Dennery Hospital, and Faces of Development underscores the importance of community driven initiatives in promoting health and wellness.