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PHILIPSBURG--Hundreds turned out for the annual Lion Rudy Hoeve Health and Wellness Fair at Festival Village on Saturday. The free event enabled and encouraged to public to familiarise themselves with different healthcare institutions and illnesses, and have free testing for ailments, including high blood pressure, diabetes, sickle cell disease and HIV/AIDS.
Attendees could see for themselves the newly-launched Collective Prevention Services (CPS) Mobile Health Services bus, which contains two spacious rooms for check-ups. The CPS team offered product samples and information leaflets, talking attendees through some of the topics.
The booths offering testing, the SZV booth offering registration for pensions and the Alzheimer's Foundation booth were particularly abuzz on Saturday afternoon.
The St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) booth also was busy collecting personal data and pictures for its new registration system which will reduce bothersome paperwork once someone goes to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Three new organisations joined the fair this year: Sickle Cell Foundation, Down's Syndrome Foundation and Tzu Chi Foundation.
Sickle Cell Foundation had more than 200 persons sign up by 1:30pm for preliminary testing that showed through a blood test whether someone might carry the gene and referred possible cases for further testing. The Foundation is less than a year old and includes members affected by the debilitating disease who HOPE to raise community awareness.
The fair has become one of the biggest in the region, according to organisers, and has grown steadily locally over the years.
The day kicked off with a Zumba class by group fitness instructor Chawlyn Mezas, who with I&I Fitness trainers encouraged and demonstrated exercises with different equipment. Curious passersby had a chance to try them out, including a few seniors who showed what they still had in them.
Minister of Health Care, Social Development and Labour Rita Bourne-Gumbs could be seen speaking to various stakeholders and attendees. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, St. Maarten Justice Minister Dennis Richardson and Aruba Justice Minister Dennis Richardson Arthur Dowers also were spotted amongst the crowd. Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo was seen with the Sickle Cell Foundation, of which she is a part.
Members of the Lions Club were seen tending to and chatting with the public, as were members of TelEm Group, which sponsors the yearly event.
