By Elvin Bailey
AS a nation with a population that is so well travelled, as a nation that prides itself on welcoming visitors to our shores, as a nation that is so dependent on Tourism, as a nation whose population resides mostly in Diaspora, it should come as no surprise to anyone that H1N1 has reached the Federation. What we should be surprised about is that with all of the advisories [and tasteless jokes] that we have had about swine flu, that with all of the advances we have made in the field of health, that with such a favourable number of health care personnel per capita, that the virus has claimed the life of one of our citizens. We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased.
Social Security is very familiar with sicknesses, especially influenza. We are also well versed with causative agents such as viruses. Indeed, between January and June of this year, a total of 7,955 benefit claims have been registered with Social Security. Of these claims, 5,065 (or 64%) have been sickness claims. Of all the illness that has been reported, 1,019 (20% of all reported illnesses) have been either “influenza” or “viral illnesses”, and have sickened persons for 6,434 days (13% of the 49,653 sick days).
Indeed, June was particularly busy, in that a total of 1,055 claims were received (not just for sickness).
As a nation and as a people, we continually underestimate the impact and importance of Health. It bears repeating that ill health takes a toll on our pockets, our resources and our productivity. If you were an investor, would you want to invest and do business with a sickly people? Would you still be interested to do business if you were told to make preparation for 10 sick-days per staff member per year, and make preparations to pay them when they are off sick? Would you still want to come here and spend your money knowing that you may ‘catch’ some germ from your staff? [Persons who were sick, were off work for an average of 10 days for the first half of 2009].
At Social Security, we do not know how much over-the-counter and/or prescribed medication amounts to. What we do know is that to replace the 65% of wages when persons reported sick for four (4) days or more, it costs the system $482,000 in June only, not counting payments associated with Employment Injuries. Be reminded, that in recent time, around $5million dollars per year is paid in sickness benefits alone - that is to say, an amount of $212.77 for every member of Social Security, and $115.00 per head of population.
We join with the medical fraternity to reinforce the messages about health and wellness, and those messages dedicated to combating preventable and communicable diseases such as H1N1. I am advised that, because H1N1 is new to us, our bodies have no antibody memory to rely on in its fight against the virus. Therefore, immediate action becomes vital. Furthermore, if our system has already been compromised by other morbidities such as obesity and asthma, we are particularly at risk. Health statistics indicate that 45% of our adults between 25 – 64 years old are obese, and women are more so than men.
Here, then, is a reminder of the advice given by the Ministry of Health in July of this year, through its Chief Medical Officer:-
1. Persons with flu-like illness i.e. fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, aches and pains, and diarrhea, must stay at home and contact the nearest community health center or their personal physician for advice.
2. Persons with severe flu-like illness i.e. difficulty breathing, weakness, and dehydration, must present to hospital for immediate medical attention.
3. To prevent the spread of influenza and common cold viruses, cover your cough, cover your sneeze, and wash your hands with soap and water.
4. Good health is protected by keeping the body’s natural defenses strong.
a. Eat a balanced diet of three (3) meals per day based on fresh local fruits, vegetables and ground provisions.
b. Stay well hydrated with water or homemade beverages.
c. Exercise – brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, aerobics, dance, sports.
d. Rest – Minimum of six (6) hours for adults, eight (8) hours for young teens, and at least ten (10) hours for infants and children up to primary school age.
e. Personal hygiene and general cleanliness at all times and in all places.
f. Positive mental attitude.
It is so simple that even you can do it! Don’t expect everything in life to be complicated. Remember Naaman?
(Note: This article was prepared in collaboration with Dr Patrick Martin, Chief Medical Officer).
