Police hosts health Symposium for its male officers

The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has focussed on the health of men within its ranks at a health symposium for males in the Central Division. The symposium, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) on Thursday, October 3, 2024, was due to the recognition of the “vital importance of wellness among its ranks” and acknowledgement that “good health is the cornerstone of a strong and effective police force”, a release from the RSVGVF stated. Held at the Police Compound at Old Montrose, “the symposium aimed to elevate awareness of critical health issues affecting men, and provided officers with essential knowledge to make informed decisions about their health,” the release added.

Some of the Officers at the Health Symposium

It involved presentations from MOHWE personnel, as well as on-site health screening and blood tests, “allowing officers to take immediate action regarding their health status”.

Further, by fostering a culture of wellness and proactive health management, the RSVGPF said it is ensuring that its members are physically prepared and well-informed to face the challenges of their duties. Among the health professionals involved were Winfield Tannis-Abbott, National AIDS Coordinator who addressed the issue of HIV/AIDS; Sister Laflice Findlay, who dealt with Dengue Fever and related issues; and Dr Twanna Browne-Caesar, internal medicine specialist and nephrologist, who addressed Prostate Cancer during which she “advocated for regular screenings, including PSA level checks and minor biopsies, to facilitate early detection and improve patient outcomes”.

The police said in the release that the expertise of the presenters “ ensured that the officers not only grasped the vital information” but it also inspired them “to take proactive steps toward better health”. The RSVGPF said the Men’s Health series of symposia will continue in other policing divisions across both the mainland and in the Grenadines.