Sandy Crest Medical Centre marked its fourth anniversary yesterday giving free advice and medical checks at a health fair at the entrance to its St James location.
Dr Brian Charles, managing director, explained: “We decided to give back to the community and this is a productive and rewarding way of doing it.”
The fair encompassed fun and community fellowship with a serious message about health and preventative medicine, Charles said.
Attendees witnessed demonstrations on healthy cooking and sampled health supporting foods.
Those who wanted, received blood pressure and sugar checks, body mass index checks, HIV testing, comprehensive cholesterol testing, as well as podiatry and physiotherapy consultations.
Patrons benefited from breast and prostate checks by the medical centre. A nominal lab fee was applicable to the prostate test.
Dancercise sessions and an exercise showcase by Surfside Wellness Centre was a highlight of the fair.
Special emphasis was placed on chronic non-communicable diseases. Charles said this was because complications from these diseases took a huge chunk out of the health budget.
The podiatrist on hand gave advice on the care of the foot, especially care of the diabetic foot given the high number of amputations in Barbados.
Derek Went, manufacturer of Went Worx Seasonings, was on hand to prepare grilled vegetables using the range of seasonings.
Went said his all natural seasonings were free of salt, sugar, preservatives, and animal products and offered a healthier alternative for cooking flavourful food.
