BERBICE Regional Health Authority (BRHA) hosted its fourth street fair last Friday to raise awareness of personal well-being in Upper Corentyne communities.
Staged on the main thoroughfare of Corriverton during peek business hours, the exhibition attracted people from Government and non-governmental organizations, who were given free toiletries, condoms and bags, as well as information on local agencies.
One hundred immunisations, mostly with H1N1 vaccines against swine flu and injections for yellow fever, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella, were done to persons visiting the public health booth.
A similar number of visitors benefited from blood pressure and sugar tests and dental care while a blood collection drive garnered several units, with many donors giving for the first time.
Some booths highlighted the effects of tobacco and marijuana use and about the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
BRHA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo deemed the exercise, which recorded attendance by several hundred persons, a success.
He said it was aimed at providing community members with information on where to go for help and among the institutions involved were Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, General Register Office, Primary Ear Care Department, Comforting Hearts, Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT), National Tuberculosis Programme, National Physiotherapy Programme and the Occupational Therapy Department of the National Psychiatric Hospital.
Prior to declaring the fair open, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said  the focus was on  chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, chronic respiratory, diabetes and cancer, all of which now account for about half of all deaths.
He said the fatal conditions are derived from one’s lifestyle, which, once changed, can result in reducing the effects.
“Too many Guyanese are smokers. Too many are exposed to tobacco. There is too much consumption of alcohol,” Ramsammy lamented, pointing out that Guyana is blessed with fresh vegetables and fruits but Guyanese have bad eating habits and do not exercise.
He said his ministry is promoting ‘walk for life’ as people need to exercise more and have too much salt and fats in their diet.
“If we are to have a health revolution, we need to play a role in promoting good lifestyles,” Ramsammy advised.
BRHA Chairman, Mr. David Armogan remarked that, although that was the fourth fair, it was the first time residents of Corentyne communities were beneficiaries, as, on the previous occasions, the venue was in New Amsterdam.
He reiterated that the purpose was to educate the populace on how to prevent and treat diseases, even as they cultivate good health habits.