Dr Michael Darville and Greg Burrows Sr viewing the free screening test.
ON Saturday, the Freedom Farm Baseball League held its opening day festivities.
The day began with a short service at Holy Cross Anglican Parish followed by its highly anticipated parade of athletes from the church to the Freedom Farm Baseball Park in the Yamacraw community.
With Freedom Farm’s selected theme being ‘Health & Wellness’, bringing remarks was Minister of Health and Wellness Michael Darville, who spoke passionately about the urgent need for Bahamians to take their health seriously.
Dr Darville referenced a STEP survey which was done on the Bahamas which clearly outlined the significant health deficiencies of our population.
The report shows that The Bahamas is ranked the worst in the region as it relates to the number of cases of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, renal failure, obesity and hypertension. If this trend is not reversed, Dr Darville said the healthcare system will be challenged to meet the needs of those requiring attention at our tertiary medical institutions.
In an effort to tackle this crisis head on, the minister indicated that his ministry, through a Wellness Unit, will be launching an aggressive educational campaign throughout the Commonweath of the Bahamas touching as many areas as possible, particularly grassroots communities, and the elderly.
In closing he urged the audience to take their health serious, after all, ‘an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure’.
Joining Dr Darville was Timothy Munnings, the former director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and with the Wellness Unit of the Ministry of Health.
In partnering with Freedom Farm Baseball League, the Ministry of Health staged its first health screening for adults at the park and they provided medical referrals that were necessary.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.