Weighing station looking busy.

The Cayman Brac Rotary Club hosted its health symposium amidst inclement weather at the Aston Rutty Centre in Cayman Brac on 16 May.

The event was a joint partnership with Baptist Health System and Health Services Authority (HSA), with the theme being “Make Dreams Real for a Healthier Life Style”

According to organisers, HSA’s CEO Lizzette Yearwood and other participants who were heading to the Brac for the event, had to return to Grand Cayman due to the deterioration in the weather.

Considering the timely recovery process from Hurricane Paloma and the challenge facing the community the organisers believe it was relevant to address the following topics: “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Stress”, “Management in Type 11 Diabetes”, “Stress Management”, and “Gastroenteritis and Helping Children Cope with Stress”.

Dr Srirangan Velusamy, Medical Officer in charge of Faith Hospital, was the moderator for the first session followed by Dr D. Mulgrave-Thorpe in the second session.

Ana Bassil, Director for International Relation and Protocol at Baptist Health Systems, with her team of a psychologist and gastroenterologist made an interesting and stimulating presentation, which had the audience wanting more. They had a booth on display with a wide range of literature addressing several illnesses as well as give-away bags of goodies for each member of the community who attended.

As the theme for this Rotary year “Make Dreams Real”, with emphasis on reducing child mortality rate, much attention was given by the parents while Dr Eleen Strot made 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. There, they were encouraged to share their experiences by talking about it, expressing themselves artistically on how they feel and what they saw during such an ordeal.

She 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 fantastic presentation on “Stress Management in Type 11 Diabetes” and went on to invite persons to join the support group which they will be starting at Faith Hospital. The launch took place at the Dental Clinic 11 June followed by a presentation. The target groups are diabetics, their family and their health care giver. The purpose is to raise awareness in the Cayman Brac community, highlight the potential risk of diabetes and to encourage them to take an active role in their health.

There was a question and answer session at the end of each presentation of which the audience took advantage.

At lunch time everyone was treated to some healthy food comprised of fruit salad, juices, vegetable salad with chicken strips etc. This reiterated the emphasis on the theme mentioned earlier on.

Throughout the day the Faith Hospital staff was busy screening for diabetic and doing blood pressure checks on attendees.

President Alphanso Gayle applauded Vice President and Committee Chair Valerie Bolageer for a job well done and wished to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this event.