After Saraka - River Sallee Gets Free Health & Diabetic Clinic

Free Health & Diabetic Clinic Planners (l-r) Taurah Dizadare SNMA-SGU Chapter Diabetes Coordinator, Pastor Alvin Campbell and Dianne Roberts of River Sallee Evangelical Church, Roslyn A. Douglas of Central Health-Grenada and Michelle Adibe - President SNMA-SGU Chapter

(River Sallee, St. Patrick -  Saturday April 27, 2019) -------The day after Saraka, on Saturday April 27, 2019 over 100 residents of River Sallee, St. Patrick received free health screening services as a result of the continued partnership between Central Health-Grenada and the Student National Medical Association – St. George’s University Chapter (SNMA-SGU Chapter). This year’s event was hosted by the River Sallee Evangelical Church. 

Due to its quaint sized location, the River Sallee Evangelical church secured permission to use the River Sallee Government School. Pastor Alvin Campbell agreed to host the Free Health & Diabetic Clinic because he saw it as an opportunity to assist his community, “I know for the community, especially my community at River Sallee, there are a lot of people who don’t go see the doctor. Even though they are sick, they would stay home. But hearing something like a free health fair coming and covering a number of areas, I believe that is the reason why I said adamantly we should go ahead with it.”

Although they offer other services during their tenure in Grenada, this is the sixth event over a three-year period, that SNMA-SGU Chapter and Central Health – Grenada have collaborated. Michelle Adibe, President of the SNMA-SGU Chapter admitted that traveling so far from campus was a little nerve racking, however it is part of their mission statement, “Coming out into rural Grenada, and helping these individuals be able to obtain health care that they normally don’t see everyday or have easy access, is something that is really important to us – SNMA.”

Founder of Central Health – Grenada Roslyn A. Douglas, MA, ACS, ALB said that prior to River Sallee, the SGU Medical students have offered the same thing in St. David – three times; St. George – once; and Grenville, St. Andrew once also. “The Free Health & Diabetic Clinic in River Sallee was a success because the host church committee Chair - Dianne Roberts was strategic in reaching out to the community group responsible for planning the River Sallee week of activities. They promoted the free clinic along with their plans. In addition, thanks to a private donation, I hired Mr. Lett to drive around the community with his loud speaker to advertise the event – after getting permission from the Commissioner of Police.”

The services provided were eye examination, glucose testing, blood pressure readings, diabetic foot examination, nutrition counseling and feedback from onsite doctors.  Also offered was private prayer by the River Sallee Evangelical Church prayer team in a nearby classroom.

Ms. Douglas provided tokens of appreciation to the church’s leaders and volunteers during their Sunday service, “This event would not have been possible without the volunteers from the church. Imagine, they not only walked around the community to promote the event, but they also cleaned up after the Saraka dance which ended at 7 am on Saturday. They did so in less than two hours. It is also important to note that SNMA provided the glucose testing strips and lancets, while Bryden & Minors provided copies of promotional materials. This is what love of community is all about.”

- Article by: Central Health - Grenada

Is Your Parent Really Ok?

By: Central Health - Grenada

Eventually you - the child grows up and begins to carve out a life.  You may have a job, fighting to make ends meet or perhaps things are going well for you and your significant other. You check in with your parent(s) with visits or phone calls and within those windows, everything seems fine. 

YOU:                  “Hey Mommy.  Just calling to check in on you.  How was your day?”

MOTHER:         “Oh baby, I went to town today, to get some things for the house and pick up some medication.  I saw a lady that gave me a help out, and I also stopped in at NIS to check on things. I’m alright. Got everything done. How are you Sunshine?

{The conversation continues with general chit chat.}

What the child may not know about the day, are the finite details.  Four buses refused to stop for her, as the grey hair bellowed in the wind, because “Tante, you will slow us down.” Then she continues waiting until she gets a spot within the second row of the bus, as it is the easiest to get into.  While standing in line to pay for groceries her walking stick falls and she cannot bend down to pick it up. She is saved by the kindness of a middle-aged person who takes pity. This senior citizen has shoulder and leg pain and it is a real struggle to lift those heavy bags of groceries onto the bus. It was the truth, she did go to the pharmacy to get medication, but did not end up purchasing it because she had to make a choice between food or medicine and chose food. Typically, the first defense is, she can ask for help.  Maybe she did once and felt embarrassed.  After been ‘in charge’ all your life, handling everything and then to turn around and HAVE TO ASK for assistance can be daunting.

Caring for a parent(s) is a delicate balance.  Not everyone had a great childhood.  In some instances, when the child ‘breaks free’ they do not look back as they move away from the verbal narcissistic, controlling, physically abusive, sexually tormenting, and/or emotionally deprived home.  When this child did return home, hoping for the relationship they always wanted, got burned time and time again and has given up trying.  Others had wonderful childhoods. The home was fully functional, full of love, peace, and present caregivers.  Visits to the home after independence for this child, are filled with smiles, laughter, hugs, shared stories about growing up and plenty kisses.  Based on these variables, no one can dictate to others what they ought to do. However, this Health Perspective is to encourage those with living parents to examine their parents' living condition, economic wellbeing, health care and emotional/mental soundness – as you are able. Or maybe you already are assisting, and the burn out does not allow you to see the new needs.

Here are five tips to consider:

1.      Assess

Invest a full day periodically with your loved one, especially errand days, and observe how they are moving around. Treat it as a Bonding Day.  Be present and help as necessary.  Be mindful, some parents may suddenly change plans, so you won’t be able to ‘see’ them at moments of weakness, nonetheless keep insisting. Also evaluate the cleanliness of the home.  In your estimation, can the parent continue keeping the outside and inside of the house tidy on their own – or do they now need help. Pop up visits work best for that, otherwise the parent may overexert themselves to clean before your arrival. Another point to consider is the parent expressing concern about living alone.  Will an aid at night make them comfortable, can children take shifts spending the night or can siblings rotate taking the loved one in for a year each – as a suggestion.  As Elder Abuse is a real thing, do inquire/observe if the parent seems uncomfortable with that family member who is currently living with them.

2.      Ask

Some persons are 100% reliant on their pension plans.  For many it is not enough to meet monthly expenses.  Write out all of the medical expenses, groceries, utility, medication and so forth that are required a month.  Then compare that total with their pension income.  Similarly ask the person, what can you do that would help them out a bit.

3.       Have a family meeting with siblings

Once it has been determined the new needs of your parent, have a meeting apart from the parent to discuss what you have learned with siblings or family members who can pitch in.  The parent does not need to privy to arguments or frank conversations about who can do what and for how long. Assistance can range from scheduled visits, one person committing to paying for medication, another utility, another food.  Or perhaps everyone agrees to provide a set amount every month, so the parent is no longer secretly stressed.

After everything has been ironed out, have another meeting, this time with parent present and share what everyone will be doing moving forward. Share this innovation in a manner that will be received as, “It is being done as general love, care, concern and a willingness to just be helpful.” Ignore their efforts to refuse assistance as you would have already assessed and discussed the situation.

4.      Reassess Monthly

Check in with those who made commitments and ensure that they can continue or if a reshuffling of responsibilities is needed.  This is an important point to consider because sometimes life happens and people’s responsibilities or obligations change.  If an obligation can not longer be met, that information must be discussed apart from the parent, with the core group, to come up with how it can be met.  If the parent is told, they may feel obligated to ‘cover’ for the person and others may be oblivious to break down in commitment.

These are just suggestions, with the hopes it can begin an important conversation as it relates to senior care.  The goal is simply to ensure that your parent is indeed ‘ok.’

Photo: Lifehacker.com

 Any excerpt or part of this article must be used with the permission of the author

Free Health Clinic - St. Andrew

Official Statement: Grenada Diabetes Association (Diabetes Month)

GRENADA DIABETES ASSOCIATION

NOVEMBER 2017

DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

STATEMENT

November is recognized as Diabetes Awareness Month.  For 2017, the Grenada Diabetes Association (GDA) with its Branches have planned several activities throughout the Tri island state.  For Grenada, the goal is to raise awareness of this disease and provide support to those impacted by it.

Activities organized by GDA for the month of November include: church services; health screenings; nutrition and diabetes management educational talks; distribution of educational materials (with the assistance of the Ministry of Education) throughout the school systems, appropriate for teachers to have a better understanding of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; social media campaign strategies; and encouraging the public to wear blue every Friday during the month to help raise awareness.

The IDF produces a theme for each year’s celebration. The theme for 2017 is, Women and Diabetes – Our Right To A Healthy Future.  Three key messages about diabetes as it relates to women are highlighted in this year’s campaign:

All women with diabetes require affordable and equitable access to care and education, to better manage their diabetes and improve health outcomes.

Pregnant women require improved access to screening, care and education to achieve positive health outcomes for mother and child.

Women and girls are key agents in the adoption of healthy lifestyles to improve the health and wellbeing of future generations.

According to IDF:

·        There are currently over 199 million women living with diabetes. This total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040.

·        Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year.

In Grenada 10 percent of the adult population are living with diabetes some of which have complications including: kidney disease, eyes complications, strokes, heart disease, nerve damage, foot problems including amputations, impotence, skin conditions, depression and pregnancy related conditions.

Up to 70% of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. By focusing on women and empowering them to adopt healthy lifestyles it is hoped that their influence in the home and community would have a positive impact on the lives of their children, husbands and significant others. So, even while empowering our women our concerns are still very much with our men and children. 

One important goal of GDA’s Executive is to increase activism within its respective Branches.  Each parish has a team of persons who organize monthly meetings and outreach efforts.  If you would like to become active within the GDA’s Branch in your parish, or learn more about GDA’s efforts call 440-0888 or LIKE GDA’s Facebook page.

Wear Blue On Fridays In November

100% Goes To Grenada Cancer Society

Written By: Central Health  - Grenada

To address the need for more education and to assist patients with their cancer treatment, Project Blue has launched a fund raiser of which 100% of the proceeds will go to the Grenada Cancer Society.  

Project Blue is a new cancer education fundraising organization that was launched in August.  The focus of this year’s initiative is colon and prostate cancer awareness. The local leader for the organization Rhema Lewis is encouraging the public to purchase t-shirt and to wear them on Friday November 10, 2017. “Blue Friday, is beyond wearing a t-shirt, it is a way to support those who may feel that they are in this battle for their lives alone,” said Lewis.

In a recent video with Now Grenada, Senior Medical Officer for the Ministry of Health Dr. Francis Martin, stated that the upward trend of cancer cases is now more than before in Grenada. “Over the last decade or so, we recognize that incidences of cancer are increasing almost yearly,” said Dr. Martin. Within the video, data shows that prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in Grenadian men.

President of the Grenada Cancer Society - Dr. Barrymore Mc Barnette says the funds will be welcomed, “Funds are always welcome, because of the high cost of cancer treatment and the great need for public education.”

The November 10, 2017 Blue Friday t-shirts are on sale for $25 and can be ordered at projectbluegrenada@gmail.com or call the Grenada Cancer Society at 473-435-9869