The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net 

For the 12th consecutive year, the Evangelistic Temple Body & Soul Ministry will highlight the importance of personal responsibility for one’s health during its annual fair which kicks off tomorrow. 

The health fair will take place over two days, Wednesday and Saturday, under the theme “Ignore your health, it will go away”.

The annual outreach initiative begins tomorrow with a discourse on cancer prevention by Dr Joseph Evans – author of the book “A Simple Plan to Prevent Cancer” – at the Gary & Myrtle Curry Youth Centre at 7.30pm.

On Saturday, the fair will feature a fun run/walkathon that also begins at the Youth Centre at 6am.

As has been the case in previous years, the goal of the fair is give people a well-rounded experience by providing education on various issues and giving them an opportunity to get active and moving with the walkathon. 

“We will be having a talk on the first day of the fair and then the walkathon on that Saturday that will feature an obstacle course. We will have the Ministry of Health’s team conducting screenings team for cholesterol, high blood pressure and more,” said Reginald King, coordinator of the Body & Soul Ministry at the church. 

Routine health screenings make it possible for common diseases to be detected early, prevented and treated, which is the reason Mr King said he is encouraging the community to come out and take advantage of this week’s event.

“The main goal is to promote a healthy lifestyle among the church members, followers and people in the wider community. Of course we have do this as a wider outreach in the community; promoting healthy lifestyles,” he said.

Over the years, Mr King said the fair has garnered a great amount of support from the public. He anticipates this time around will be no different.

“They respond fairly well to the health fair. The walkathon happens to be the most supported aspect from the general public,” said Mr King.

“I think hosting events as such are important, because if you look at our situation in the Bahamas, we have an obesity problem in our community. We have a large part of our community that hardly pays attention to health issues until they are sick. So we are trying to help people be proactive and see the benefits of being healthy, staying healthy and having an active life. Our theme is this year is, ‘Ignore your health, it will go away’. We don’t want people ignoring their health, so we encourage them to come down.”