The fight against Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) in Barbados was stepped up when the Sagicor Group Life and Health Department unveiled an innovative Wellness Initiative, complete with a fully equipped and professionally staffed Mobile Medical Unit.

Speaking as he introduced the new service to corporate clients and members of the media, Mr. Edward Clarke, Executive Vice President and General Manager Barbados Operations of Sagicor Life Inc, said the programme was in keeping with Sagicor’s core principle of giving back to the communities and people that have made Sagicor successful.

Emphasising the wisdom of prevention being better than cure, Mr. Clarke said the main objective was to provide preventative care and education in the fight against CNCDs. The new Medical Mobile Unit will be staffed by a registered nurse and is fully equipped to carry out testing for the incidence of a variety of CNCDs and other illnesses. In addition to testing, the nurse will focus on education, raising awareness and providing answers to clients’ questions on health related matters.

“Companies are made up not only of brick and mortar but of the people who sit inside those four walls. The health and success of a company is determined largely by the health and well-being of its employees. The corporate wellness program is intended to support the efforts of corporate human resource departments. As such, the mandate of this unit, is to provide on-site counselling, education and health checks to our customers and their employees or members.”

The Sagicor Executive VP quoted results of a 2015 “Barbados Health of the Nation Study” showing two out of three adults to be overweight or obese, one in three hypertensive, and one in five having diabetes. He said this was cause for grave concern.

“These are sobering figures and invariably, there will be a ripple effect on the workplace and our society as a whole. Illness can lead to absenteeism, presenteeism and of course death. Illness also hampers a person’s ability to do their job, earn an income and support their family. This in turn can put a strain on the economy.”

The Wellness Initiative began with an outreach to the Goddard Group, and will continue over the coming months with visits to the offices of other Sagicor Group clients.