Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church (VPUMC) Health Care Committee and the Vanderveer Cares Committee on Saturday held what was described as a successful, joint health fair “to provide caring for the East Flatbush community.”
According to Dr. Illouise Murillo-Tucker, the Belizean-born chair of VPUMC Health Care Committee and coordinator of the event, the health fair “catered to the health and welfare of the attendees, as well as inviting them to engage in a spiritual walk.”
She told Caribbean Life that areas covered included: Education on several food groups, ethnic preference and the importance of eating healthy; presentation on various cancers, including questions, and addressing concerns, as well as making referrals; prevention and vaccine promotion, accompanied by masks, sanitizers and antibacterial wipes distribution; and screening of blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic diseases, as well as education, with focus on prevention.
Other topics covered were: HIV education and caring after possible exposure; Opioid use, prevention and treatment; and assessment of eligibility for health insurance coverage, and enrollment “on the spot.”
Dr. Murillo-Tucker said Vanderveer Cares provided a “free market,” at which produce, groceries, new clothing and housewares were given away.
“This was met with appreciation and recommendations for other such inclusion,” she said, adding that “the most beautiful scene of the day was the children who enjoyed the opportunity to frolic on the lawn.
“The turnout was great, and everyone left satisfied that it was a day that met a need and provided for a difference in many lives,” the retired registered nurse continued.
Retired Registered Nurse Phyllis Payne-Dublin, the Vincentian-born president of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean American Nurses Association (CANA), said her organization conducted blood pressure screening, and “handed out important health literature, as well as essential hand-sanitizing kits, to participants of the fair.”
Registered Nurse Dr. Rose Green, vice president of the Jamaica Nursing Group of New York (JNGNY, said her group also participated in the health fair “to serve the community with health education, blood pressure screening, and to encourage and promote wellness and maintenance.”
Her nursing colleague, Claudette Powell, JNGNY’s public relations officer and founder member of VPUMC Health Ministry, said she was happy to participate in the health fair to help community members “follow health practitioners’ treatment” guidelines.
