#Providenciales, August 26, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital conducted a special presentation on heart health to over 50 young basketball camp participants and donated a life-saving medical device to the TCI Government Department of Sports. The initiative was held on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex on Providenciales. The Medtronic Lifepak automated external defibrillator or AED was acquired via the assistance of the health care company’s visiting consultant Cardiologist, Doctor Himanshu Shukla.
AED’s are
used to analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical
shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm in
a case of sudden cardiac arrest. These medical devices can cost several
thousand dollars and is commonly located in sporting arenas and other actively
used public spaces as a precaution. Persons can be stabilized via the use of an
AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the arrival of an ambulance.
The
Medtronic Lifepak AED is easy-to-use with a digital monitor, low maintenance
and lightweight for easy portability. InterHealth Canada –TCI Hospital,
Registered Nurse Carl Lewis, conducted an interactive simulation to the
basketball camp participants on how to deploy an AED with trainee equipment and
mannequins. Camp participants were captivated and quickly grasped the
importance of the medical device.
Director of
the TCI Government Department of Sports, Jarrett Forbes expressed appreciation
for the major donation. Forbes stated: “On behalf of the Department of Sports,
Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, we wish to extend a
big thank you to Doctor Shukla and InterHealth Canada for making this venture
possible. Users of the facility can be assured that the department has a
valuable device that can save lives and our staff are trained to use an AED. If
anything occurs while using the facility, call 911, call for help, and request
an AED. Once the building is open, staff are present who are trained to use the
device.”
InterHealth
Canada Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Nikira John steered the AED
handover and gave remarks on behalf of the organization. John revealed that
another special entity would be the recipient of a similar AED donation in the
near future. The health care company’s visiting consultant Cardiologist, Doctor
Shukla also stated: “There is a higher incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in
higher congregation locations and providing access to these types of medical
equipment and understanding their usage can save lives in an unfortunate case.”
The second
component of the initiative featured a health discussion. During the 1-on-1
with the young basketball camp participants, Doctor Shukla emphasized measures
to prevent and identify health issues at an early age. Hydration measures are
often underappreciated. Therefore, Doctor Shukla stressed the significance of
adequate nutrition, active lifestyles to avoid obesity and appropriate hydration
in a humid country especially given the high levels of exertion associated with
athletic games. Pre-game and post-game health management is essential to avoid
any musculoskeletal injuries, and these include warm-up exercises and annual
screenings, stated Doctor Shukla.
The program is the Don Kelbrick’s Drills and Skills Basketball Camp and is hosted by the Edward C Gartland Youth Centre in conjunction with the TCI Government Department of Sports.