September 03 , 2006
KINGSTON, September 2006 - “Prevention Better than Cure” is the theme that Blue Cross of Jamaica has chosen for its fifteenth health and wellness month, to be observed in September. Health and Wellness month was launched on Wednesday 30 August at both the Company’s Hope Road headquarters in Kingston and the Caledonia Mall branch in Mandeville. The launch took the format of open days at which the theme of prevention was established through the provision of tests for blood pressure and blood sugar and cholesterol levels for visitors and staff.
Blue Cross of Jamaica’s health and wellness month is one of the vehicles the Company uses to focus the nation’s attention on the importance of practising healthy lifestyles through good nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental and spiritual health––two major dimensions of wellness. During September, Blue Cross will mount an islandwide public education programme to promote its messages of “prevention rather than cure”.
Professor Errol Morrison, CEO of Blue Cross noted that wellness involved the different measures that individuals used to maintain good health and was geared towards preventing illness and disease. “To develop a culture of wellness means to take a proactive approach to prevention rather than a reactive approach to cure.” Professor Morrison said.
One of the highlights of wellness month will be the Blue Cross Medical Symposium, which will take place on Sunday, 17 September at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel starting at 8:30 am and continuing until 3:30 pm. This year’s symposium will focus on the “Delivery of World-Class Health Care through Superior Technology”. As such, guest speaker, Antonio Fernandez of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) will address, among other related topics, advances in robotic treatment. Presenters will include a wide cross-section of health care professionals spanning the disciplines of pharmacology, dentistry, surgery and cardiology. Over the years, the symposium has addressed topics as diverse as “Environmental Disorders”, “Medical Care for the Elderly”, “Health Care Reform” and “Men’s Health Issues”. Now in its twenty-second year, the symposium is an invaluable forum for medical and health care practitioners to keep abreast of the latest trends and innovations in their field. Since 2004, Continuing Medical Education Credits have been granted to those attending this symposium, making participation in this event an important avenue for upgrading professional skills.
Other activities for this year will include staff seminars, a wellness expo and a senior citizens day.
As a corporate entity with over 300 employees, Blue Cross has its own year-round, on-site programme of wellness for staff members. Carefully planned menus are prepared each day in the well-run staff cafeteria and each day a vegetarian option is offered to team members. A certified fitness instructor conducts aerobics classes twice weekly and each quarter, health screenings are held for team members. Tests conducted include ECG, Pap Smear, blood sugar level and blood pressure.
Since its inception 50 years ago, Blue Cross of Jamaica has unceasingly demonstrated its commitment to promoting the health and well being of Jamaicans through its promotion of a healthy lifestyle as well as through creative and innovative service delivery of health insurance products.