The Anguilla Red Cross collaborated with a number of Government health agencies over the weekend to spread the message of the importance of good heath habits and First Aid. On Saturday September 12, Red Cross members and volunteers participated in a Wellness Fair conducted by the sections of the Ministry of Health and the Health Authority of Anguilla (including the Physical Therapy Department, Health Promotion, Food and Nutrition and HIV/AIDS).

Participants in Wellness Fair

The half-day activity was held on the grounds of the Agricultural Department following a Health Walk and stretching exercise earlier that morning.

Saturday September 12 was World First Aid Day under the caption “First Aid skills should be available to all and not only for those who can afford it.” President of the Anguilla Red Cross, Ash Hodge, pointed out that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies introduced World First Aid Day in 2000. He said each year, more than 100 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world organise events and ceremonies on the second Saturday of September to raise public awareness of how First Aid can save lives in everyday and crisis situations.

Mr. Hodge highlighted that, this year, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies released an advocacy report that included 10 recommendations to make First Aid Education more widely available. He said, although the focus was on Europe, many of these recommendations also apply in other regions of the world.
According to Hodge, this was the first time Anguilla took part in World First Aid Day and he thanked the Ministry of Health and contributing Departments for the opportunity to participate in the Wellness Fair.

The Anguilla Red Cross displayed First Aid equipment and educational materials and conducted massages. Junior Red Cross members took the opportunity to learn how to give neck, back and shoulder massages and stretches from professional masseuse, Kay Bell. The Fair also provided blood pressure checks, blood sugar level checks, examples of healthy eating and HIV/AIDS information to members of the public.

Exhibits in fair

Director of Nursing Services, Venetta Connor, commented that Caribbean Wellness Day was celebrated across the region to make people aware of diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension and HIV/AIDS. “It is about promoting health and wellness because HIV, Hypertension and Diabetes are the leading causes of death in the Caribbean.”
Coordinator Nutrition and Health Promotion, Vernice Battick, exhibited healthy snacks and food. She stated that, based on the increasing rate of chronic, non-communicable diseases, Ministers of Health in the region decided to designate a day every year called Caribbean Wellness Day. She said that countries all over the region were engaging in similar activities to promote health and fitness. She noted that the diet plays a role in the management of chronic diseases. “In order to prevent these diseases and to manage them, we need to eat right and exercise,” she went on.
Director of the National AIDS Programme, Civilla Kentish, displayed educational material on prevention, care and treatment. She remarked that HIV prevention was all part of wellness. “Years ago we were asking people to test but we had nothing to offer them.

Ash Hodge

It was really just for statistical purposes,” she stated, adding that today the testing could result in persons who have HIV receiving Anti Retroviral Drugs to control the disease. Kentish revealed that, to date, there were six persons on Anguilla using Anti Retroviral Drugs but warned that the figure does not mean only six persons have HIV.

The Clinton Foundation initially funded Anguilla’s Anti Retroviral Drugs Programme. Since that funding was exhausted, the Anguilla Government has been providing it.
Caribbean Wellness Day was Wednesday September 9. Last week Health Authority staff also conducted health education sessions at the schools. This is Anguilla’s first time participating\ in Caribbean Wellness Day.

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