Please read the below remarks of the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim N. Wilson JP MP during the St. John Ambulance Bermuda Emergency Medical Responder Graduation ceremony last night.

Good evening,

I’m delighted to be here with you for this Emergency Medical Responder Graduation. It is important in our increasingly complex world that there are more citizens qualified to help in a medical emergency.

But I’m also happy to be here as you near another major milestone: your 125th anniversary of serving Bermuda!

The Department of Health announces the return of its popular and free health screenings initiative – Taking it to the Streets – starting tomorrow.

Last year, the nurses held the free health screenings across the island, screened more than 350 people and referred 126 for additional medical assessment.

Persons were referred because the screenings found significantly elevated blood pressure and blood sugar readings during their assessments.

The Minister of Health the Hon. Kim N. Wilson JP MP today commended the American International Group for focusing on the health of their employees at the AIG Wellbeing Fair at their Hamilton, Richmond Road offices.

The Minister said she was pleased that the company recognized that promoting and encouraging healthy lifestyles can make a significant difference in the long-term health of employees.

Attending the fair were staff of AIG’s American International Company (AICO), together with employees of other building occupants, including Validus, Granite, AWAC and Ascot.

The Minister of Health the Hon. Kim N. Wilson JP MP today helped to honour Bermuda’s nurses, reading a proclamation that recognised Saturday May 12 as International Nurses Day, and the month of May as Nurses Month.

The Minister read the proclamation from the steps of City Hall this afternoon, accompanied by members of the Bermuda Nurses Association Executive Committee, the City of Hamilton Councillor Henry Ming and the Director of the Department of Health David Kendell.

Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Health  Hon. Kim Wilson JP, MP

Mr Speaker

I rise today to remind us all of the number one priority for the Ministry of Health: Making healthcare affordable and accessible for all.

This week is an opportune time to consider this matter given the theme chosen for the May 1st International Workers’ Day observance by the Bermuda Trade Union Congress. Their theme was “Affordable and accessible healthcare for all”, Mr Speaker. And you can imagine that this is a theme that simply brings music to my ears.

Good afternoon.

I would first of all like to thank Open Airways, for inviting me here today.

Open Airways is the Asthma Charity that is “Helping Bermuda to Breathe.”

World Asthma Day is as fitting a time as any to recognize the incredible work done throughout the year by Open Airways since its founding in 1997.

A lot has changed in two decades.

For one thing, hospital admissions for asthma have been reduced by a staggering 76%.

Today Minister of Health, The Honourable Kim N. Wilson JP MP, and her Cabinet colleagues will observe this year’s Bermuda Trade Union Congress’ International Workers’ Day theme: “Affordable and Accessible Healthcare in Bermuda for All” and are scheduled to march with the BTUC in celebration.

The BTUC rally and march in recognition of International Workers’ Day starts from Victoria Park at 12pm. Cabinet was scheduled to break at 11:45am and walk to Victoria Park and follow the procession until it passes by the Cabinet Building.

Good evening, everyone

It’s a pleasure to see you all here today.  As you know, the purpose of today’s forum is to provide an update on the Bermuda Health Strategy and discuss upcoming developments with you.

You are our closest stakeholders – the persons and organizations best placed to assist us in achieving my personal goal of affordable and accessible healthcare for all our residents.

Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Health  Hon. Kim Wilson JP, MP

Mr Speaker Today I rise to address a very important matter before Honourable Members of the House of Assembly and members of the public.

The important issue to which I refer, relates to a very special gift.

How many times have we received a birthday gift, an anniversary gift or a Christmas gift, that, well frankly we were not that fond of.  Now yes Mr. Speaker it is certainly not the gift that is received which is important, it’s the thought behind the gift.

The Department of Health is this week observing the 16th Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) as work is underway to recapture the high level of immunization once achieved in Bermuda.

The weeklong focus comes through Bermuda’s association with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the specialized international health agency for the Americas.

The campaign slogan is “Strengthen your defense! #GetVax #VaccinesWork.