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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, September 26th, Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley opened the Health & Hygiene week at the Sister Regina Primary School in Simpson Bay.
The Health & Hygiene week is a yearly event at the school and is an initiative of its Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle and personal and dental hygiene.
Adjunct School Manager Joanne Arrundell kicked off the week with a special opening where they were honored with the presence of the Honorable Minister Ottley and members of his cabinet Mr. Johnnie Richardson and Mr. Dwayne Reid.
The children listened intensely to the Ministers speech and were eager to answer his questions when he addressed the students about remaining healthy as they grow: You eat well, you exercise and you exercise your brain. He explained that a healthy lifestyle does not only mean physical exercise but also to keep training your brain by reading. He stressed the importance of oral health, not eating too much sugar, and washing your hands to help prevent diseases. After this, Minister Ottley officially opened Health & Hygiene week by cutting the ribbon.
It is important that health and hygiene are thought at an early age. The aspect of health is not only physical but also mental. I encourage the schools to promote a healthy lifestyle as it builds confidence in the students, which can prevent depression, said Ottley. Guest speaker Dietician Karen Eusebius already had a successful presentation teaching the younger students about eating the rainbow - fruits and vegetables from each color - to get a variety of important vitamins and nutrients. The older students were taught about the Go and Slow food differences. She also highlighted the importance of staying active and drinking water.
Dental Hygienist Esmee Bakker is visiting on Wednesday and there will be several other engaging activities on the Health and Hygiene topic to bring awareness.
