Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the health of its team members is maintained.
The resort hosted an employee health fair, Tuesday, with a focus on diabetes and prostate cancer.
During the four-hour event, a steady flow of employees went to check theirblood sugar levels and prostate. In an effort to be fully compliant with the government’s COVID-19 protocols, only three individuals were allowed in the testing area at any given time and social distancing was maintained at all times.
The initiative was a collaborative effort of the resort, the Medical Benefits Scheme, Dr. Dwayne Thwaites and Dr. Sean Blackburn, both of whom provided prostate screening services.
Dr. Blackburn underscored the importance of the prostate screening, stating: “Once you get to age 45 and up, it is always best to start checking your prostate. A lot of men do not think it is important and they do not realise they have prostate cancer until it is too late.”
He said early detection is crucial, noting that prostate cancer is “very prevalent” in Antigua & Barbuda.
The general practitioner suggested that lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can help to decrease the likelihood of prostate cancer.
As for the blood sugar testing, one employee explained why she decided to get checked.
“I know my family history of diabetes and I used the opportunity to get checked because I want to know my levels,” she said.
Training & Development Manager Matara Murphy highlighted the company’s directive for events to be held, which promote employee well-being.
“As a company, we have a mandate under Sandals Corporate University to do a signature event every month,” she said. “We’ve decided to look at what’s happening each month.”
Murphy added, “World Diabetes Day was observed this month (14th) and November has been recognised across the globe as Men’s Health Awareness Month. We therefore decided to have an event which focuses on both diabetes and prostate cancer.”
She revealed plans for an AIDS testing initiative in December, given that World AIDS Day falls within that month (1st).
The prostate and blood sugar screening event comes in the wake of the resort’s breast cancer screening session, which was held in October.
