Saipan residents take charge of their health

Hundreds of residents received free anti-flu shots, pap smear, blood pressure check, blood sugar count, cooking tips, informational materials about the prevention of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, and giveaways like bags, mugs, hats and visors during Saturday’s health fair at the Garapan Fishing Base.

“People should take advantage of the free services given during health fairs like this,” Lolita Velasco, 53, told Saipan Tribune.

Velasco was one of 30 women who received free pap smear in the mobile clinic, for the early detection of cervical cancer. “Every year I undergo pap smear especially with my age now. I call on others to do the same,” she said.

She brought along her15-year-old son, Darren Dones, a sophomore at Saipan Southern High School, who enjoyed the exhibits for their educational value. His girlfriend, Liz Alcazar, said she’s encouraged to soon undergo pap smear, too.

“I’d be smarter in deciding what to do with my body, my health,” said Alcazar after visiting the informational booths.

The health fair, which wrapped up the Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month celebration in January, was sponsored by the Department of Public Health and the Commonwealth Cancer Association, along with partner agencies in the public and private sectors.

“We really had a great turnout this year and we look forward to many of this kind of event,” said Esther Seman, community outreach worker for DPH’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

Seman, who is also the chairperson of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Committee, said 18 exhibitors at the fair were able to reach out to many members of the community about the health services available to them and information on how they could lead healthy lives.

John Tagabuel, director of DPH’s Bureau of Environmental Health, said the mobile clinic will also be visiting Kagman soon and other villages. Residents are asked to call 236 8703 for schedule of visits to their villages.

Erin Camacho, nutrition services coordinator at DPH’s Women, Infants and Children Program, urged the community to visit the WIC office at its new location near the lighthouse or at the back of Brilliant School on Navy Hill. The new office number, she said, is 664 4084.

“There are lots of services for women, infant and children. For one, we promote breastfeeding and we’d like to see more women breastfeeding,” she said.

Rep. Ray Tebuteb, the only member of the Legislature who visited the health fair, said the rate of cancer in the CNMI has been on the rise and the community needs to take a more active role in the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

A 55-year-old woman, who requested anonymity, found out that her blood sugar level is now 285 mg/dl, which is very high.

Northern Marianas College nursing students, who got her blood sugar count, asked her to exercise, watch her diet, and consult a doctor. She agreed.

Twenty-one nursing students of Emmanuel College also gave anti-flu shots to children and adults at the health fair.

One of those who received the free vaccination was Jaiden Kayla Sabugo, 5, who was crying and clutching her father’s arm while she was given the anti-flu shot. In between sobs, she listened to her father, Bernard Sabugo, as he tells her that everything will be fine and she won’t have flu for a long time.

Other exhibitors at the fair included NMC-CREES, Marianas High School, Marianas Health Services, Ayuda Network and programs under DPH.