New York’s Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consulates, in collaboration with the Caribbean American Nurses Association (CANA) and the Caribbean American Medical and Scientific Association, Inc. (CAMSA), will be hosting an inaugural Caribbean Health Fair on Aug. 24.
The health fair will take place, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Holy Cross Parish School and Parking Lot, 2530 Church Ave., between Bedford and Rogers avenues, in Brooklyn.
“This free health extravaganza will bring together a very experienced group of health professionals, including physicians and nurses, who will screen and educate the community, distribute valuable resource information, conduct clinics, engage in fitness demonstrations, provide family entertainment and giveaways, and much more,” said the consulates in a statement.
Julian DuBois, chair of the CARICOM Consular Corps said the diplomats decided to host this event in light of the medical challenges that Caribbean nationals face.
“We are well aware of the many health and medical challenges that are very prevalent within the Caribbean Americans community,” he said. “Hence, the goal of this event is to educate and sensitize our constituents about the various illnesses and diseases that afflict them and to also connect them to as many service providers as possible.”
President of CANA, Claudette Powell, and the President of CAMSA Inc., Dr. Deborah Brathwaite, commended the CARICOM consulates for the vision to collaborate with healthcare organizations, most with Caribbean connections, to make the event possible “and for bringing such well-needed services to the Caribbean American community.”
The major hospitals in Brooklyn namely Brookdale University, Kings County, Brooklyn Hospital, SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center will participate at the health fair, DuBois said.
He said other organizations, such as Caribbean Women’s Health Association, and a host of agencies have “rallied their support around this event.”
The health fair has attracted major sponsors, such as Health First, MetroPlus, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill, Tower Isles Patties, Courts Caribbean, North Shore Beverage, Henrica’s Restaurant, Super Wings, Grace Foods and Western Union.
“The Brooklyn community is encouraged to come out and bring the entire family,” DuBois said.
For more information, contact Omyma David at (646) 215-6045; Victoria Bousquet at (347) 592-8698; Powell at (516) 459-2903; or Dr. Braithwaite at (917) 647-4878.
