The Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment will be focusing on vector-bourne diseases, as it joins the global community in observing World Health Day on Monday April 7th.
A release from the Ministry says attention is being focused on this area, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines, like the rest of the region, braces for a possible outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease called Chikungunya.
This year the day will be observed under the theme: Small Bites, Big Threats, as countries around the world highlight the importance of controlling the vectors or pests that cause these diseases.
The chikungunya disease is spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the same vector responsible for the spread of dengue fever.
As part of activities to observe the day, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment will mount a Health Fair under the gallery of the Ministerial Building in Kingstown on Monday, April 7.
Additionally, the National Insurance Services will partner with the Ministry of Health to host two other health fairs at the Golden Age centres at Black Point and Cane Grove.
The Health Fairs will offer health screening and give demonstrations on how to prevent vector borne diseases.
An official ceremony to observe the day will be held at the Cane Grove Golden Age Centre from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Addresses will come from the Chief Executive Officer of the NIS Reginald Thomas and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Luis DeShong.
During the opening ceremony, the National Insurance Services will make a donation of medical supplies to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment.
World Health Day is celebrated each year on April 7th to mark the founding of the World Health Organisation
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