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Free Health Fair at Foodland Lagoon Road Receives Record Turnout from the Public!

On Independence Saturday, Foodland Lagoon Road saw a tremendous outpouring of over two hundred (200) health-concerned patrons who attended a Free Health Fair made possible through the collaborative efforts between the Humanitarian Services Organization (HSO) of St. George’s University (SGU) and Foodland Supermarkets along with Grenada Optical Laboratories, Island Dental Care, and Huggins Pharmaceuticals Division. Medical professionals from Island Dental Care, represented by Dr. Tara Baksh, and Optometrists from Grenada Optical Laboratories, were on hand offering their expertise to the event facilitated by the HSO of SGU, a body of student volunteers participating in SGU’s Masters of Public Health (MPH) program. Patrons received a thorough medical consultation, which began with an interview determining overall health and family medical history, and involved tests of Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose Levels, Physical Body Weight Exam, Visual Acuity, and an Oral Examination.

The HSO of SGU, through its biannual Free Health Fairs, is a launch pad for students as medical professionals in training and who are service-orientated individuals can participate in community outreach and development – a motive that reflects SGU’s tradition of community involvement through compassionate care and humanism of medicine. Eric Morray, President of HSO of SGU and a Third-Year Medical Student, praised the successful cooperation with Foodland, which by providing a central location, a visible community presence, and bringing together support from the Private Sector, has resulted in the best turnout in numbers to the Free Health Fair. This assessment was reverberated by MPH student, Lisa Bennet taking part in her first HSO of SGU event, felt the day’s activities has not only germinated further awareness for proper and diligent health care monitoring, but also has drawn attention to easily treatable issues among participants.

This was emphasized in the comments of Xia Buxo, Grenada Optical Laboratories, who spoke of the prevalence and unheard of nature to most of Ptygerium, – a visible tissue growth that can occur on the eye due to exposure to sun and dust over a period of time creating a feeling of grit and dryness in the eye. Persons unwittingly endure this affliction, which can be alleviated by simple eye surgery.

Also, she stressed the importance of early eye testing among youngsters. Grenada Optical has realized many of the Island’s School Students have undiagnosed vision related issues which often impair the pace of their academic growth. As a measure of counteraction, Grenada Optical has a regular Eye Care Program in the Private Schools where they carryout free eye examinations.

Attending dentist from Island Dental Care, Dr. Tara Baksh, summarized the philosophy “you are what you eat” expounding the often overlooked correlation between the healthy consumption of certain type of foods, and moderate consumption of others such as those high in sugar or rich in fatty acids as suggested by Dental Practitioners affects not only oral health, but overall physical health. What will adversely affect the quality and life of our teeth; will in turn negatively impact the body’s function and health on a whole, and that’s a matter of fact. In light of this, she has on occasion put an emphasis on the importance of introducing children as early as possible to appropriate dental hygiene practices; complemented by a healthy diet. 

Mrs. Denise Parke Langaigne, Manager Huggins Corporate Marketing, expressed gratitude on behalf of Foodland Lagoon Road for the privilege of yet another opportunity to extend its involvement in the lives of persons in the community beyond that of the supermarket with Saturday’s Independence activities. Besides the regular discounts and specials, the Free Health Fair falls in line with Foodland’s position as a company which proactively initiates interaction which addresses issues in need of attention and supports events which provide meritorious contribution to the community. Feeling encouraged from the welcomed response, Foodland is looking forward to exploring other ways of building upon its strong connection to the community.

The Humanitarian Services Organization of SGU, Foodland, “Your Family’s Favourite Food Store!”, and their Private Sector partners, who together made last Saturday’s Free Health Fair a success, is appreciative of the participation of patrons who by attending have made a declarative step towards their health and well-being.  Many of the patrons have shown knowledgeable aptitude about good healthcare practices and it is hoped they will continue to build upon this with the day’s activities by putting into practice recommendations made by the students and medical professionals. As well, community members are encouraged to take advantage of similar events serving to inform and assist in enriching the quality of their lives when they are held in their communities.

Foodland Supermarkets wishes to extend a special heartfelt thank you to the other community-service orientated companies that helped make the Free Health Fair possible: Grenada Co-operative Bank Ltd, Independence Agencies, Grenada Breweries Ltd, Glenelg, Bryden & Minors, GBN TV, FLOW, WEE FM, The Grenadian Voice, The New Today, The Grenada Informer, and Waggy T Rentals.

Anthony Grandy

Marketing Assistant

Huggins Corporate Marketing

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