Government of Bermuda
Good afternoon everyone,
Thank you for coming out today, for Age Concern’s Health Checks event. This is an important addition to the health screening opportunities offered in Bermuda for the public, and I applaud their continued commitment to this cause. It is a great addition to my Ministry’s vision of “Healthy People in Healthy Communities”.
Mr Speaker and Honourable Members,
I stand before this Honourable House to table the Bermuda Hospital Board Annual Report 2013 and to provide an update on their annual reports.
Mr Speaker, BHB has a legislated requirement to put its audited financial statements before parliament and public. I’m therefore very pleased to bring forward this update.
Bermuda is now better prepared to ship clinical, animal or environmental specimens to international laboratories after a two-day training session from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) last week.
We have all heard the expression: “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”
This is a phrase that’s often used when you want to say that knowing about something that could be bad before it happens, allows you to prepare for it; it gives you time to think of different ways of approaching things. Another translation is that it’s good to know about potential problems before they happen.
The Department of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has seen a rise in numbers of flu cases recorded on the island. By protecting yourself against influenza, you are also protecting your family, your household, your workplace and ultimately your community.
Thorough hand washing is recommended for all to reduce the chance of infection. Also, it is not too late to get your flu shot at the Hamilton Health Centre on Victoria Street or through some private physicians. The flu shot can lessen the effects of the flu.
The Department of Health is pleased to announce Flu Express will now take place on Tuesday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 20 at National Sports Centre Pavilion. The Ministry apologizes for any inconvenience due to rescheduling.
The Ministry of Health is pleased to offer the community both an electronic and printed version of the new Directory of Helping Services. This is the first time a searchable, online version of the Directory has been offered. The online Directory may be found at www.helpingservices.bm
October 27 is World Occupational Therapy Day and this year’s theme is ‘inform, inspire, influence’. Occupational therapists (OTs) work with all age groups and in a wide range of physical and psychosocial areas. OTs assess and plan short and long term treatments tailored to an individual and his or her occupation, habits and environment. They are employed by Bermuda Hospitals Board at KEMH and MWI, by the Department of Health and in private practice.
Mr Speaker and Honourable Members,
I rise today to address this Honourable House about a matter of national importance. A matter significant to our economic prosperity and our physical survival: the prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases.
