More than 300 people availed of free health screenings hosted by Rotarians at the weekend, including one man who was taken to hospital by ambulance after the checks showed his blood-sugar levels were five times higher than normal. Five others were referred to the emergency room.
On Saturday, Rotary Central, for the 11th time, partnered with the Health Services Authority for the annual free health screenings, which were held at Foster’s Countryside, Foster’s Republix, A. L. Thompson’s and Cost-U-Less.
Nurse Zelta Gayle, Rotary Central’s health initiative chairperson, said, as a result of the free screenings, six people were referred to the emergency room for immediate treatment of high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure, including a man who was displaying some serious symptoms.
“I witnessed a male being informed of his alarmingly high blood sugar level, which was five times the normal blood sugar level,” Gayle said. “He acknowledged experiencing rapidly failing vision, dizziness, increased thirst, weight loss, and many other symptoms of hyperglycaemia.
“Despite the ER physician’s recommendation of ambulance transport to the ER, the male initially refused, but eventually heeded the advice. It was an added bonus to have ER physicians at the locations who called the ER ahead of their patient’s arrival.”
The man was among four people who had been previously unaware of their hyperglycaemia or hypertensive conditions, including another man who learned, for the first time, that his blood pressure level and blood sugars level were extremely high, and that his cholesterol level was “very very high”, Gayle said.
EMERGENCY ROOM REFERRALS
- 3 referred for extremely high blood sugar (previously undiagnosed)
- 1 referred for extremely high blood sugar (previously diagnosed)
- 1 referred for extremely high blood pressure (previously undiagnosed)
- 1 referred for extremely high blood pressure (previously diagnosed)
A total of 118 volunteers helped carry out the health checks, including Rotarians, physicians and nurses from the public and private sectors, medical students, student nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, nurses aides, business coordinators and others.
The volunteers checked 316 people for blood pressure, blood sugar level, cholesterol level, A1C, haemoglobin level and healthy weight assessment.
People were also offered a consultation with an on-site physician.
As well as alerting individuals to potentially severe health issues they were previously unaware of, the event also led to laboratory technicians and blood bank personnel recruiting 22 prospective blood donors.
New checks
At the event, Health City staff provided cancer screening consultations, distributed home colon cancer screening test kits, and distributed cancer screening literature. A giant inflatable model of a colon, which displayed abnormalities, was erected outside A. L. Thompson’s for the day, and a Health City doctor gave tours within the colon to highlight potential risks and treatments.
This year’s screening services were also expanded to include haemoglobin levels.
Gayle said the number of individuals with low haemoglobin was “astounding”, with 55 people being identified with significantly low levels.
“Since the health screenings include post screening follow-up calls, it was revealed that many of those with anaemia have been symptomatically performing their daily activities for an extended period of time whether diagnosed or undiagnosed. These individuals will be guided towards ascertaining the required care,” she said.
REFERRED TO GENERAL PRACTITIONER CONSULTATION
- 75 with low haemoglobin levels
- 38 with elevated cholesterol levels (previously undiagnosed)
- 15 with elevated cholesterol levels (previously diagnosed)
Rotary Central will be offering more free health screenings in November, to mark Diabetes Awareness Month.
Over the years, the organisation’s free check-ups have identified other conditions, that were not part of the screenings, such as symptomatic bradycardia (slow heart beat causing symptoms), symptomatic arrhythmia (irregular heart beat causing symptoms), glandular and circulatory conditions that were not been screened, but were caught “thanks to the alert medical and nursing team at the locations”, Gayle said.
“It is extremely fulfilling to know that the free health screening services were offered and that they were so readily accepted. Even more fulfilling, is knowing that many individuals are now aware of their abnormal blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and haemoglobin levels,” she said.
“People with critical levels are expeditiously sent to the emergency room, or those with abnormal results are referred to their general practitioners. The progression of the irreversible effects of chronic diseases on major organs are significantly decreased when the abnormal levels are identified early. This does not only contribute to a better quality of life, but also to the extension of life.”
Early detection is key
Early detection of medical conditions is a goal of Rotary Central’s health screenings, so that the risks of developing related complications can be significantly decreased. “Unfortunately though, many people who have been previously diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol have been non-compliant with their prescribed treatment; whether because of frustration, denial, lack of funding or having insufficient education about their conditions,” Gayle explained.
The free screenings cost, on average, $750 each. With 316 people availing of them, this means that $237,000 worth of check-ups were carried out within the four-hour period of the event.
On behalf of Rotary Central, Gayle thanked the many volunteers and organisations that took part, including the Health Services Authority, Health City Cayman Islands, Doctors Hospital, the University College School of Nursing, St. Matthew’s University, Cayman Heart Fund, the Lions Club, Amy McLean and photographer RC Cordero.
Rotary Central reminded people that diabetics, their relatives and caregivers can attend the Health Services Authority’s Diabetes Education Clinic, which offers diabetes education on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm-5pm. To set up an appointment or for more information, call the General Practice Clinic (Smith Road Centre) at 244-7520 or 244-7685.
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