GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — The Urban Renewal Commission hosted its first Health and Wellness Fair offering a wide range of health services to members of the public of all ages on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
The event was held in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Health Services at the Urban Renewal headquarters on Queen’s Highway and served as a one-stop-shop providing free healthcare to members of the community and raising the importance of health awareness and wellbeing.
The scores of residents taking advantage of the health fair heard from general practitioners and specialists from the private and public sectors and were treated to one-on-one sessions with a dietician, dentist, eye specialist, as well as cholesterol, blood pressure, HIV, prostrate and foot screenings and a message.
Mental health experts were also on hand along with representatives from the Cancer Society of Grand Bahama, The Kidney Centre, Doctors Hospital, Colina, the National Insurance Board, HIV/AIDS Survivors Benefit and community nursing.
Transportation was provided for residents from West and Central Grand Bahama.
Deputy Director of Urban Renewal Senator Kirkland Russell, impressed by how many seniors who turned out for the services, said it also brought about a heightened awareness of those needing vision care.
“Today was a huge success. It’s still overwhelming as we still have the screenings taking place inside,” he said.
“It tells me we have to do more of these kinds of events, especially with the eyes, in the communities. There has to be satellite operations in West Grand Bahama, Hunters, Lewis Yard and Mack Town area, in East Grand Bahama and various pockets of those densely populated urban areas in Freeport.”
Turks and Caicos Minister of Health and Human Services Shaun Malcolm was also in attendance and overjoyed with the initiative that was being provided to the residents, most especially the seniors, by the government.
“I am elated that I stopped by. I’m actually very impressed with the job that the government is doing through Urban Renewal. Looking after the total health and welfare of the people is very critical today, and to see it being done today with the seniors is refreshing,” he said.
Urban Renewal Programmes Coordinator Lisa Higgs noted that Grand Bahama residents, young and young at heart, were able to take advantage of the thousands of dollars in healthcare services, consultation and knowledge being provided free of charge.
“Urban Renewal is here for our people in Grand Bahama and that’s what we’re doing today,” said Higgs.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament Kingsley Smith was also in attendance.
HEALTH FAIR – Grand Bahama residents turned out in grand numbers for the first Urban Renewal Commission Health and Wellness Fair. Also in attendance were Parliamentary Secretary in the Minisry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament Kingsley Smith; Chairman of Nassau Flight Services Obie Roberts; HIV/AIDS President Disease Surveillance Tina Roberts and Turks and Caicos Minister of Health and Human Services Shaun Malcolm.
(BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)
