Free health screenings will be held tomorrow Friday, 24th August 2018 at E.F. Gordon Square, Dundonald Street, Hamilton (on the corner of Court Street and Dundonald Street) from 4 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

The screenings will be held in the shade with relief from the heat.

Tomorrow’s screening is part of the Department of Health’s series – Taking it to the Street. The previous screenings were held at Woody’s in Somerset and Heron Bay Marketplace in Southampton.

At Woody’s Drive in Restaurant in Sandys on June 22, 2018, 63 persons were seen. Out of these persons, 42 had to be called back for follow-up care as they have the potential of being at risk for diseases.

These persons were referred for further medical treatment due to their risk for hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “We are thrilled with the turn-out for the Taking it to the Street series. The numbers are proving the need to meet the community where they are to provide access to free health care. Early screening allows persons to seek medical care and address health issues before they escalate.”

Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are called “silent killers” because they exhibit no symptoms (persons do not feel sick). Screening is an important tool for testing and early detection before symptoms develop and before debilitating disease takes hold.

The last screening in the series will be held from 4 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Friday, 28 September 2018 – King’s Square, St. Georges.

The free health screenings help to identify persons at risk of chronic and non-communicable diseases.

The screenings include:

• Monitoring blood sugar

• Assessing cardiac risk profile

• Monitoring blood pressure

• Monitoring weight

• Other health education

The community health nurses are “taking it to the streets” to make it easier for the public to attend and to be able to direct attendees to any health resources they may need.

• Press release from the Department of Health