NIP-IT-IN-THE-BUD and LINK UP FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS

"NIP-IT-IN-THE-BUD" Child Health Risk Screening Programme

and “LINK UP FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Priorities to Reverse a Looming Health Crisis”

by Evelette Fourniller

Principal, San Fernando Seventh - day Adventist Primary School

Trinidad and Tobago

On February 11th 2014, San Fernando Seventh - day Adventist Primary School was invited by Dr Hedrick Edwards of HANDS  International Inc. to partner with the University of the Southern Caribbean and HANDS INTERNATIONAL  in a “community – based effort to confront  a  chronic disease crisis looming in the nation and posing a major threat to children and youth, as well as the adult population.  The Programme was captioned “LINK UP FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Priorities to Reverse a Looming Health Crisis”

Dr. Hedrick Edwards offered the Child Health Component, "NIP-IT-IN-THE-BUD" Child Health Risk Screening Programme to the school’s administration. The Administration enthusiastically grasped “once in a lifetime” opportunity and the rapid planning began.

On the morning of Tuesday 8th April, 2014 a massive street parade through the streets of the City of San Fernando captured the attention of varied onlookers. The following schools participated in the parade: San Fernando Girls’ Anglican, St Paul’s Boys’ Anglican, Point Fortin SDA, Erin SDA, WEE ONES Kindergarten and San Fernando SDA Primary. Several members of the HANDS Team, the University of the Southern Caribbean Drum Corp and several organizations such as the South Regional Pathfinder Club, San Fernando SDA Pathfinder Club, Girl’s Anglican Brownies Club and the Red Cross Link of San Fernando SDA blended a colourful spectrum marching through a slight drizzle with the pulsating sounds of the USC band.

Students and parents had posters displaying pertinent messages.

The parade was met by the Parliamentary Representative for San Fernando West Constituency  –  the Honourable Carolyn Seepersad – Bachan. An Opening Ceremony was held on the spacious  Compound of the St Paul’s Anglican School. The School Supervisor of the Ministry of Education as well as Officials of USC and HANDS International brought greetings and the Minister gave the Feature Address. School Principals, Marlene White, Grace Mc Quan and Evelette Fourniller also welcomed all present. Inspector Mystar from Police Head Quarters also spoke to the large crowd on hand.

A fun, educational day began and many children and adults visited over 50 exhibition booths as  well as fun activities such as rock climbing and  bouncy castles. The National Schools Dietary Services which provides meals for the  nation’s schools was also present. The National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) also featured a booth where students explored a hands – on approach to learning about improving lifestyles.  Students from nearby Health Institutions such as the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the University of the Southern Caribbean were also there to assist in diverse ways. Three school compound were used to host the events.

The main feature of the day was the Health Screening provided by the HANDS TEAM. The paediatricians as well as all the doctors and other Health Professionals had their hands full as over 400 children were screened. The event was well executed and remains indelibly etched in the history

On Wednesday 9th April, 2014, the USC and HANDS International Team travelled southward again to have another day of screening and a Health Symposium during the afternoon. The Paediatric Team visited the Mothers’ Union Children’s Home and screened several children. 

The Symposium was chaired by Dr. Oscar Ocho, Director of Population Unit and Chief Nursing Officer at the Ministry of Health. The feature address was magnificently done Dr. Anjanie Sharma, Medical Research Officer, Ministry of Health. Representatives from the University of the Southern Caribbean, Dr Claudette Mitchell as well as the members of the HANDS Team were on several panels that addressed several health related issues to the audience which included members from the Public Health Department, San Fernando City Corporation, National Schools Dietary Services and students from College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTATT).

Ms Henrietta Vaval, Nurse Instructor of COSTATT, provided valuable assistance from the conception of this programme. She is working with the Ministry of Health to analyse the data received from this programme. A follow up programme addressing the needs of “at risk” students will begin in 2015. San Fernando SDA Primary School has also included projects in its Strategic  Plan to address the national concerns so that our young citizens can “NIP IT IN THE BUD” . Parents can be positively influenced by their children’s learning to begin a movement that will help our citizens become healthier.

The Administration and Staff of San Fernando SDA Primary School sincerely thank Dr, Edwards, and his team for the dedication, commitment and the joy of service in helping humanity.

* * *

http://www.usc.edu.tt/news/247/104/Nip-It-in-the-Bud-Symposium.html

Dr Noel Braithwaite of the University of the Southern Caribbean, Nip it in the Bud Symposium moderator Dale Scobie, and Dr Nancy Fleurancois of HANDS International

Apr 11, 2014

NIP IT IN THE BUD SYMPOSIUM

USC News

USC’s Link Up for Life: Nip it in the Bud programme continued on April 9, with health checks and screening at the San-Fernando SDA Primary School. The afternoon featured a dynamic symposium, attended by Government officials and professionals in the health sector who spoke to the issue of lifestyle diseases which plague our societies, especially our children, and how we can forge ahead to ensure that the next generation is healthy. 

Students from the San-Fernando SDA, the San-Fernando Anglican and the St. Paul’s primary schools who attended the fair were screened by volunteers from the HANDS International team along with USC and COSTATT student nurses.

Parents, together with their children witnessed nutrition demonstrations sat through nutrition counselling sessions given by students and staff of USC’s Family and Consumer Sciences department. Students who were required to visit with a doctor were able to do so.

The day’s screening also gave opportunity to more senior individuals, who were in need of health screenings and consultation.

Mrs. Evelette Fornillier, Principal of the San-Fernando SDA Primary School, and coordinator of the Nip it in the Bud programme expressed her thanks to the two entities, the University of the Southern Caribbean and the HANDS International team for being instrumental in planning and organising a Health Emphasis week. She too was lauded for her hard work in ensuring that the Nip it in the Bud Programme was successful.

The symposium, which featured a panel discussion among scholars on the issue of obesity and diabetes among children made for healthy discussion and discourse among leaders in the various fields.

In her presentation on obesity and diabetes, Dr. Annjani Sharma, Research Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health made a memorable point when she noted that,  “Any time you eat or drink, you are either feeding a disease or fighting it."

The Link Up for Life activities continue on Sabbath, April 12, with church services at the Caring University Church, and the Couva SDA Church.

Nip it in the Bud Opening Ceremony
April 8, 2014

 

Health Screening

Nip it in the Bud Symposium

April 9, 2014

"Any time you eat or drink, you are either feeding a disease or fighting it."
Dr Anjani Shamar of the Chronic Diseases Research Division of the Ministry of Health, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

"Genetics is the gun that may set the stage for childhood obesity, but your life choices is the hand that pulls the trigger!"
Dr Nancy Fleurancois

Dr Christiana Rajasingham

Dr Hildemar Dos Santos

Dr Ifeoma Anidi

HANDS Partners together with representatives from the University of the Southern Caribbean, the two Anglican Boys and Girls and one SDA primary schools of San Fernando, the Mayor's Office of San Fernando, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago