THE National Health Fund (NHF) last Thursday provided free health checks to staff members at the Jamaica Observer as a part of its health promotion initiative and participation in the National Journalism Week of activities.

Initiated in 2003, the NHF said it aims to provide financial assistance for health care in Jamaica by providing subsidies for prescriptions and institutional benefits.

“We wanted to interact with the persons at the various media houses, and the Jamaica Observer has a large population in the field. We also saw the need for persons to take a healthier interest in themselves,” said registered nurse in the Health Promotions and Public Relations Department at NHF, Nareeca Jackson.

With three health technicians on location last Thursday, the NHF provided free blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checks, as well as haemoglobin and HbA1C tests — which shows a person’s blood sugar history over the last three months.

The team also gave instant results and advised Observer staff to take it to their next doctor’s appointment for filing and further checks if needed.

“All the staff that came on board were excited to come on boar, and it gave them a medical awakening to check their health status because some of them were not aware and they didn’t know their numbers,” Jackson said.

It was revealed by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica that approximately 12,773 Jamaicans died from four major non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, in 2014.

The nurse encouraged Observer journalists to: “Use the gym that is provided here at the Observer and exercise. They also need to be mindful of what they eat by cutting down on the grease and the starchy foods, as this is key to reducing blood sugar levels.”

National Journalism Week ran from November 26 to December 2.

— Deandra Morrison