Brac health symposium

(CNS): With Cayman Brac still recovering from the emotional as well as physical effects of Hurricane Paloma last November, the Cayman Brac Rotary Club decided to include a focus on stress management in this year’s health symposium, held on 16 May at the Aston Rutty Civic Centre in partnership with the Baptist Health System and the Health Service Authority (HSA). With the theme of “Make Dreams Real for a Healthier Life Style”, the symposium included talks on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Stress, Management in Type 2 Diabetes, Stress Management, Gastroenteritis, and Helping Children Cope with Stress. (Photo: President Alphanso Gayle and Vice President Valerie Bolageer)

The theme for this Rotary year is “Make Dreams Real”, with an emphasis on reducing child mortality rate, so much attention was given to parents by Dr Eleen Strot in her presentation on ‘Helping Children Cope with Stress’. She commended the initiative taken by the authorities in organizing activities at the Youth Centre for the children on the Brac shortly after Paloma, rather than getting them back to the routine of school life .They were encouraged to share their experiences by talking about it, expressing themselves artistically, in poem and drama on how what they saw during such an ordeal. Dr Strot donated some workbooks to the schools entitled ‘After the Hurricane – a guide to help children cope with the psychological effects of a Hurricane’.

Dr Grace Ezema from Faith Hospital made a presentation on Stress Management in Type 2 Diabetes and invited people to join the support group they will be starting at FaithHospital. This will be launched with a presentation on 11 June at 4:00 pm at the Dental Clinic. The target groups are diabetics, their family and health care giver. The purpose is to raise awareness in the Cayman Brac Community, highlight the potential risk of diabetes and encourage them to take an active role in their health.

Ana Bassil, Director for International Relation and Protocol at Baptist Health Systems, with her team of two psychologists and a gastroenterologist gave presentations and had a booth on display with a wide range of literature addressing several illnesses as well as a bag of goodies for each guest.

Each session was followed by an opportunity for questions. According to a Rotary release, the audience seized this chance and the quality of questions asked was indicative of the keen attention given to the information presented.

At lunch time everyone was treated to some healthy food such asf fruits, salads, juices, and vegetable salads with chicken strips. Throughout the day Faith Hospital staff was busy screening for diabetes and doing blood pressure checks on attendees.

Unfortunately, the CEO of HSA Lizzette Yearwood and others who were in transit to the Brac for the event had to return to Grand Cayman due to the deterioration in weather conditions. Dr Srirangan Velusamy, Medical Officer in Charge of Faith Hospital, was the moderator for the first session followed by Dr D. Mulgrave-Thorpe for the second session. President Alphanso applauded Vice President and Committee Chair, Valerie Bolageer for a job well done. Heartfelt thanks also to everyone who contributed to the success of this event.