Health

Is Reflexology Good For The Diabetic?

The Answer is yes… It is a known fact and has been proven time and again that reflexology is a very beneficial part of the healing process. In type 2 Diabetes it is incredible what can happen with regular treatments of reflexology. Some have reported a reduction of insulin intake, some have gone from insulin to oral medication, some from oral medication to controlled diet and some from controlled diet to just healthy eating habits and exercise. Many cases have been noted and reported to this affect, much to the amazement of the mainstream medical technology that something as simple as Reflexology, a none invasive technique and a natural healing art, could be so beneficial.

May is AIDS awareness month in Anguilla. The aim of the month is to keep people not only aware of HIV, but to be vigilant of HIV prevention practices.

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The recent seminar held in Anguilla, Diabetes: Now and Tomorrow, revealed some shocking news. According to the Acting Minister of Health, Victor Banks, the spread of the disease could wreak havoc on a small community like Anguilla.

Last week Dr. Marjorie Yee-Sing, Surgeon at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Anguilla, gave an interview to The Anguillian in which she warned the people of the island against certain diseases. Part one, published then, dealt with gall bladder stones (caused mainly by fatty and greasy foods), diabetes and hypertension. Here now is part two of that interview in which she spoke on cancer cases and the dangers of some over-the-counter non traditional drugs.

The recently-commissioned Ann-Victoria “Tota” Smith Polyclinic at Welches, is to play a greater role in the island’s health services following the establishment of the Anguilla Health Authority.

The following was prepared by the Transition Team of the Anguilla Health Authority:

Background Information

1. Why do we need a Health Authority?
A Health Authority is required to provide an opportunity for making better use of scare resources and general improvement to the quality of services. Moreover, it will address problems of administrative inefficiencies in the health system.

A Strategic Plan for Health in Anguilla for 2003 -2008 has been developed in consultation with the Pan American Health Organisation and in consultation with various persons in the public and privates sectors. According to the Manager of the Department of Primary Health Care, Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, it is to promote healthy and productive individuals, families and communities.

As part of an ongoing programme to safeguard the public against food borne illnesses, the Environmental Health Unit has mandated that all persons intending to engage in the sale of fresh meat and meat products to the public must have their meat and slaughter houses inspected by an Environmental Health Officer. Such persons are required to contact the Unit forty-eight hours prior to slaughter to make arrangements for inspection.

In an ongoing drive to heighten the awareness of the general public on Anguilla’s Race Against AIDS, organizers of this event and members of the Optimist Club of Anguilla will be conducting a door to door campaign on 16 June 2003, The Queen’s Birthday holiday.

Anguilla’s Minister of Health Eric Reid says nurses are extremely critical in the fight against HIV/AIDS not only at the bedside of patients, but in the fight against the stigma associated with the disease as well. He also made the comment with respect to the nurses’ advocacy for better treatment for patients and support for their families.

The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in South East Asia and now affecting Canada and the United States, is being carefully monitored in Anguilla.

Anguilla’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Franklin Lloyd, has submitted the following article on the new disease –SARS - which is now a source of much world-wide concern:

A National Consultation has taken place on the Anguilla Health Plan for 2003-2008 under the theme “Investing in Health for the future development of Anguilla.”

A meeting called on Tuesday March 19 by the Environmental Health Unit in Anguilla for the launching of new procedures for the issuing of Food Handlers Permits, was sparsely attended at the Teachers’ Resource Centre, but the message is clear. All Food Handlers on the island will be required to conform to the rules and obtain certification or be denied permission to operate their food business.

In a couple of weeks the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Anguilla will have a new backup anesthesia machine to fill an urgent need so that critical surgical operations can be performed to preserve the life of patients. This important piece of equipment is being funded by Cable & Wireless to the tune of US$46,000, the equivalent of EC$130,000, as a gift to the Government and people of Anguilla. The donation does not include shipping and handling costs. The contribution was announced on Wednesday March 5 at a joint meeting of Government and Cable & Wireless officials in the Chief Minister’s Office.

Anguilla is getting further assistance with the development of its National Health Plan which includes the establishment of a Health Authority and a National Health Insurance. Two officials of the Pan American Health Orgnisation, Marilyn Entwistle and Shirley Augustin, began a short-term consultancy here this week funded by the Department For International Development.

A two-member team from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, visited Anguilla earlier this month as part of an initiative in the Eastern Caribbean.

The Friends of the Hospital, one of the long-established non-governmental organisations in Anguilla, has made a presentation of US$500 to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The just-opened polyclinic at Welches, in the eastern end of Anguilla, will be providing a full range of medical, dental and nursing services to residents in that part of the island. The facility has been hailed as a very useful and necessary provision in that part of the island.

Anguilla’s Minister of Social Development, Hon Eric Reid, says people will only come to accept their responsibility of being their brother’s keeper when they treat them equally regardless of infirmity.