IN commemoration of World Heart Day 2020, which was observed on September 29, Peter and Company Distribution (PCD) and Republic Bank (EC) Limited joined forces to provide free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings to customers and employees at 3 branches.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for nearly half of all Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) deaths; making it the world’s number one killer. World Heart Day, created by the World Heart Federation is therefore, the perfect platform for the CVD community and proactive organisations to unite in the fight against CVD and reduce the disease burden globally.
World Heart Day is a global campaign during which individuals, families, communities, companies, governments and other organisations around the world participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others. This year’s theme is “Use to beat ”, a very timely call to action in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
In St. Lucia, Cardiovascular disease (CVD) amounts for a significant number of deaths. Intent on doing their part to reduce this trend, Ms. Sarojnie Barclay-Benjamin, Pharmaceutical Sales Manager, at Peter and Company Distribution stated that PCD has invested significant resources in their “PCD Know Your Numbers Health and Wellness Community Outreach Program” launched in August 2020 to educate and support St. Lucians on the vital health numbers they need to monitor in order to maintain good health.
She added that PCD has created free resources such as printable Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Trackers to help people record and track these numbers at home in real time, to be able to “know their vital health numbers” and to work with their doctors to make the necessary diet and lifestyle adjustments needed to take charge of their own health particularly during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The screenings took place between 8am and 12pm and were done using One Touch Blood Glucose monitoring devices and Omron Blood Pressure monitors administered by certified practitioners. All participants also received a free gift of Vit 360 Vitamin C immune boost.
Covid-19 health and safety protocols were observed by all participants at the RBEC branches in Castries, Rodney Bay and Vieux Fort. A total of 136 persons benefitted from these vital screenings, which are among the key health indicators we all need to measure and manage regularly to take charge of our heart health along with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Ms. Barclay-Benjamin also expressed her deep gratitude to Republic Bank (EC) Limited for their partnership on this program and for their commitment to proactively support the wellbeing of their employees and customers.
Mr. Gordon Julien – Country Manager, Republic Bank (EC) Limited in St. Lucia, indicated that “we are very happy to join hands with Peter & Company Distribution to host free health checks at our three branches in Saint Lucia on World Heart Day 2020. We were encouraged by the number of staff and customers who participated in the blood pressure and blood sugar testing and our support in promoting awareness of a healthy heart.”
He also added, “We felt that this initiative was particularly important and timely this year in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic which impacted persons normal lives, their ability to maintain their normal diet and exercise routines in addition to heightened mental and emotional stress caused by the pandemic and its impact on their health. From a personal perspective, I am pleased that I was able to participate in the testing at the Castries Branch and on behalf of Republic Bank I wish to thank Peter & Company for partnering with us in this initiative.”