News Story
Adventist Health Ministries collaborate with SWRHA and other churches at health outreach program
Published | 18 April 2024
The South Caribbean Conference Health Ministries Department, under the leadership of Director Sis. Victoria Decoteau, partnered with the Marabella Adventist Church and the SWRHA..
The South Caribbean Conference Health Ministries Department, under the leadership of Director Sis. Victoria Decoteau, partnered with the Marabella Adventist Church and the Community Laison Unit of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) to host a successful health outreach program on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024.
This collaborative event, held at SAWH Hardware on Southern Main Road in Marabella, coincided with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, aiming to promote a healthy lifestyle within the community.
The event offered a wide range of free health services to attendees. Blood pressure and blood glucose checks were available, along with vision screening (utilized by 40 residents) and even massages (given to 15 people). For those concerned about HIV, testing and counselling were also provided, with 20 individuals taking advantage of this service.
Informative talks were delivered by healthcare professionals throughout the event. Nurse Anna Thomas-Patrick, the surveillance nurse, presented a lecture on dengue prevention, while Nurse Guevara, a nursing educator, offered valuable insights on managing diabetes. Additionally, a talk on the importance of a balanced diet, emphasizing a "rainbow" approach to incorporating various coloured fruits and vegetables, was well-received by the audience.
Three doctors – Drs. Jagessar, Joanna Joseph, and Stacey Singh – were present to provide consultations and counselling to those in need. A total of 83 community members benefitted from the expertise of these medical professionals and the dedicated nurses on hand. A dedicated table was set up for diabetic counseling, with a nurse educator offering guidance based on individual blood sugar readings and vital signs. Twelve attendees received personalized advice following their screenings.
Recognizing the importance of community spirit, the organizers extended invitations to nearby churches beyond the Adventist denomination. Faith City International Church graced the event with a dance ministry performance and a solo praise offering by Victoria Griffith. Global End Time Ambassadors Ministry also contributed faith-based testimonies and poems to the program. Adding to the atmosphere of praise to God were musical presentations by Adventist musicians and singers, including Mr Curtis Forsford from Coal Mine SDA Church who delivered two songs. Throughout the evening, a variety of instrumental and vocal pieces provided a relaxing and memorable experience for all.
The program concluded with a sermonette delivered by Pastor Vaughn Joshua, pastor of the Marabella Adventist Church. This collaborative health fair served as a testament to the power of interfaith and inter-organizational cooperation in promoting health awareness while fostering a spirit of community well-being.
