(L-R) Talking Points co-hosts Elvin G. Grant and Violet Thomas Gaul, and Director of the BVI Red Cross Society Ms Stacy C. Abraham. Photo: Facebook

The BVI Red Cross Society is encouraging men across the Virgin Islands to attend its health fair in February 2025. Photo: Facebook

The BVI Red Cross Society has been offering free health screenings for men for over 2o years. Photo: Internet Source

Speaking on the first episode of Talking Points for the year on Monday, January 13, 2025, on ZBVI 780 AM, Director of the BVI Red Cross Society Ms Stacy C. Abraham sat down with co-hosts Elvin G. Grant and Violet Thomas Gaul. 

She explained that they are taking a holistic approach to men’s health through the health fair. 

The health fair is carded for February 1 on Virgin Gorda at the Catholic Centre from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 

“We also support the men from Anegada and Jost van Dyke, if they’re interested they would contact us…and we make arrangements to charter a boat to bring them over and that’s at no charge,” Ms Abraham explained. 

The health fair will move to Tortola on February 7 and 8 from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Road Town. 

The men on Tortola she added come early to register even from 4:00 AM hence the earlier start because the men want to be “in and out”. 

Free health checks

Ms Abraham also reminded that the screenings being done are at absolutely no cost to those who attend and get tests. 

“That’s one of the things I want to emphasize over the 22 years we have been able to offer this service at no charge to anyone,” she stated. 

The BVI Red Cross Society will be offering services such as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks, eye examinations, HIV testing, prostate cancer screenings, oral health screenings and mental health support. 

This year the services will be broadened even further to include ear care screenings.

The men who intend to get screened have also been asked to fast for 8 hours before “because you’re going to be doing blood sampling,” Ms Abraham explained. 

Two neurologists including one from the US Virgin Islands will be volunteering along with the wife (nurse) of one of the doctors. 

The society will also offer first-aid refresher courses.

Partner organisations 

Speaking on collaboration with other organizations, Ms Abraham praised the “amazing” partnership that has been formed over the years. 

The Lion’s Club will be a partner this year again and will offer a nutritious meal to the men following testing to break their fast. 

The Rotary Club she explained has been a partner for many years providing not just physical support but have provided financial donations towards health care.

 “It’s just amazing to see all of the different civic organizations coming together,” she said. 

Ms Abraham also encouraged men to come out to get screened saying that early detection has led to many lives being saved through the yearly health fair for men. 

Often she added, they would get messages from men who have said the health fair saved their lives as they would not have known of their health conditions if it was not for the health fair. 

Ms Abraham stated that it is not just prostate cancer that is detected as other testing is done explaining, “We pick up other things as well and so we’re able to send them on for referrals that is the satisfaction at the end of the day.”