PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- On January 28, the Mobile Health Bus was in the district of Cul de Sac from 4pm to 7pm to attend to persons who wanted a free health/medical check-up. The Mobile bus is intended for persons who may not have medical insurance. Therefore, no insurance cards and any documents are required.
At the event, a first event of its kind, and in recognition of Healthy Weight and Nutrition month, which is the month of January, the Mobile health bus registering 27 persons and completed 22 full screen/check ups.
All persons visiting the Mobile Health bus on that day received informative brochures on nutrition and health.
The Mobile Health bus will be in different locations every month throughout the Dutch side. The public will be duly informed about the next district where the MHB will be stationed.
Other organizations can request the presence of the MHB when an event is organized.
The intake and screening process entails the following: demographics, medical history, vision test, weight, BMI, hip/waist circumference, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose test and if necessary or requested, a visit to Dr. Daphne Illis as physician on board.
Other personnel on board for the event were three AUC medical students, one youth health care nurse (Marcella Richardson), two Administrative assistants (Anita Priest and Irene Serfilia), two coordinators (Swinda Richardson and Nirmala Vlaun), and one driver (Lionel Francisca).
The operation of the Mobile bus is the responsibility of Collective Prevention Services, and is focused around the Get Checked campaign of the Ministry VSA. The purpose of the campaign is to raise nationwide awareness about health, health determinants and health disparities and to raise individual awareness on healthy lifestyle.
The Major focus of the health bus will be on information, education and screening. Operations will also be extended to programs that are already being executed by CPS such as the Health Calendar of Observances, and collaboration with NGOs when community activities are organized.