Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Speaker A: The best insight, instant feedback, accountability. The all new talk Radio Freedom 106.5 at this time.
[00:00:09] Speaker B: I did mention to you in the last hour I gave you guys a slogan. One day, big impact. It's a community health affair or health fair that could save lives. Now, our special guest this morning, we continue to chat with Ms. Nandini Samuel, President of the Health and Nutrition association of Trinidad and Tobago. And she's a registered dietitian. Got it correct. And the honorable Roger Alexander, Member of Parliament for Tunapuna and Minister of Homeland Security. Good morning to you both and welcome to Freedom 106.5 FM and our sister stations as well here at Guardian. Good morning, good morning, good morning, good morning. Good to have you all. This is a very, very important initiative. So this morning we're going to be speaking to these two key figures behind an upcoming event aimed at improving health and well being to our citizens, especially those in the Turnapuna area. The Health and Nutrition association of Trinidad and Tobago is teaming with MP Roger Alexander to host a powerful one day affair or one day health fair, offering free screenings, consultations and wellness services to the public.
So to Ms. Nandini Samuel, what is HNATT and what inspired its creation?
[00:01:17] Speaker C: Okay, so HNATT is the health and Nutrition association of Trinidad and Tobago. So we would have launched last year, it's a leading NGO in Trinidad and Tobago and we would have done over 30 something health fair. So our main goal is to empower persons to live a healthier lifestyle in efforts to help decrease chronic diseases in the country. Because as you know, Devi, the prevalence of NCDS in the country, diabetes, hypertension, obesity have been rapidly rising. You have been at so many of our health fairs before and you see the crisis we have. So we have been putting all hands on deck to try to curb this crisis.
[00:01:52] Speaker B: One of the most touching fairs I did with you all was in San Fernando. I saw the need when persons came out. So what services will be available at the health fair and who can attend?
[00:02:02] Speaker C: Okay, so we have. Everybody could attend. Let me start there. Everybody could attend is not only restricted to Tunapuna constituency, the entire country. If they come out, we would serve them. So we have dental screening, vision screening, blood sugar and pressure, sleep apnea testing. We have financial literacy advice.
We also have ECGs at $50 at a lower cost of course. And in addition to all of these screenings, we have fitness expositions and demonstrations, we have lectures throughout the day, nutrition assessments like BIA analysis, doctor consultations. Come to come meet me. We do free dietitian consultations as well. So throughout the day we have a set agenda.
[00:02:42] Speaker B: You know, why is events like this critical for Trinidad and Tobago? Why that need?
[00:02:47] Speaker C: So what I've realized over the past couple months, if not years, is that persons in Trinidad are really and truly not sure of the signs and symptoms of diseases. I've seen people go from being healthy to deadbed in a couple months only because they don't know their numbers, they don't know where they stand. And that is why events like this we have been doing public health events and community outreaches. Events like this are very important to help persons to understand where they are at so you could prevent the progression of disease. Because for instance, I would have seen so many diabetic patients progress to kidney disease by professional marineal dietitian and within a span of six months they end up on dialysis because they didn't even know they had it in the first place.
So events like this is critical moving forward where we want to try to make this difference.
[00:03:39] Speaker B: Totally understand what important role does the private sector play with all of this? How are you all were able to engage them?
[00:03:46] Speaker C: Honestly we have been getting tremendous efforts from the from the public and private sector. So with the private sector we have Guardian Life of the Caribbean supporting this initiative. But it's not just the private public. We have optometrists today, we have Iconic Dentistry, ISD Health Solutions, Sant Augustine Surgical Center, Bride and Pie O Snacks, Sunshine Snacks. So we have a key stakeholders that have been of many of our events of your would have seen to help with standing towards this initiative.
[00:04:17] Speaker B: How can people stay connected with you all after this event?
[00:04:20] Speaker C: Okay, so we will be on all social media platforms hnatt health and nutrition TT on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and we also have a website, healthandutritiontt.org and.
[00:04:34] Speaker B: What final finally for you at this time, what message would you like to send to to the public and private sector in terms of fostering future partnership on this all important mission?
[00:04:44] Speaker C: I would say the time is to start now. Align your brand with the purpose of our initiative is not just to engage your community or help your employees, but to help our country. Good. Wouldn't be good if you can't do better. So try to do better. Not just for you but for your families. So come on board. We are always open to powerful collaborations and we have seen the tremendous impact we have had thus far.
[00:05:06] Speaker B: Honorable Minister, good morning to you again and welcome. Welcome. No stranger to the world of media, Good morning to you.
Let me take the opportunity to first congratulate you on the ascension to your position today.
[00:05:16] Speaker A: Thank you.
[00:05:17] Speaker B: I want to congratulate you on the successes that you had endured over the past few months. With that being said, Minister Roger Alexander, why did you choose to partner with the Health association for this initiative in the Tunapuna area?
[00:05:33] Speaker A: During my walkabout on the campaign trail, I made some observations of persons and their health because I look at my health as a major factor in my life.
And as I said before, and I say this every day, a man's health is his wealth. So we want persons to try to check your wealth from an early age.
Money has nothing to do with wealth.
It's about your health because you could have a whole lot of money and you're 20 and suffering from some chronic disease and you die.
[00:06:03] Speaker B: So as you mentioned Tinapuna area, what did you observe outside of just, you know, people coming to the, to the, to the constituency office when you were doing your walkabouts, what were some of the gruesome or challenging things you saw health wise for your constituents that you felt the need? This is important.
[00:06:21] Speaker A: Young, middle aged, old persons, bedridden amputees, persons cannot walk.
Some persons just need basic health and couldn't go, couldn't attend because there's no one to take them.
We want to change the dynamics and I want to give Tunapuna, not just Tunapuna, anybody around an opportunity to come and be tested.
Know your status. Yeah. And one of the most, I think one of the most troubling thing I've seen on those campaign trailers, young men, women, young children walking up to me and telling me about how they are bullied at school. This mental health issue that we seem to ignore from time to time, it's something that we need to address immediately and this is one of the avenues we can address some of it because we're seeing persons, you see them commit suicide and you, you make some statement about it, but you do not know the real causes of it.
We treat with the symptoms and not the cause.
[00:07:23] Speaker B: The symptoms and not the cause. You know, as the Minister of Homeland Security, how does a health fair like this align with your goals as MP and your role as Minister of Homeland Security as well? How does this fear align with your goals?
[00:07:38] Speaker A: It's all about seeing about people.
If you're seeing about your people, you look at every aspect of their life to try to make them, to put them in a better quality of life.
I cannot probably give you a better standard of living, but I reframe it to be a better quality of life. So if I could provide that, by all means, I will. So it's about seeing about people.
If you as a person, you were elected by people and you know, see about people, then something is wrong with you.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: So you see that as urgent.
[00:08:08] Speaker A: Urgent.
[00:08:08] Speaker B: Despite your ministerial position as Homeland Security, staying in touch and dealing with people is critical.
[00:08:15] Speaker A: It's all part of what I do. Because if you're healthy, then you're able to help me and the police in the fight because then you might be able to make certain observations and all of that. If you're not.
[00:08:28] Speaker B: That's very interesting, Minister Daddy, where you said if you're healthy, you're able to make observations. Very, very interesting.
[00:08:33] Speaker A: You know what they say? They say we want all able bodied men and women.
[00:08:37] Speaker B: So that's what you.
So then what, what do you hope that your residents take away after this health situation, this health fair that will be happening in your constituency tomorrow?
[00:08:48] Speaker A: It's about the government partnering with persons like Ms. Samuel and her team and showing you that we care about people.
It's not a selfish thing, it's a selfless thing.
So we put everybody together and make them understand that, you know what, we are caring about you. So you start caring about you.
[00:09:15] Speaker B: I love the fact that you mentioned, you opened your question in this morning, dealing with the fact that we need to take care of our health because that's our wealth.
[00:09:21] Speaker A: That's our wealth.
[00:09:22] Speaker B: We will work and save money and then spend a lot of it in our latter years on to stay healthy or to try to get back healthy.
[00:09:29] Speaker A: So why not start it off young or sometimes you need to, as Mr. Samuel say, you need to identify certain illnesses early and you stand a better chance of survival.
[00:09:39] Speaker B: Of survival, indeed. So you know, you are the one pioneering and championed the cause with the government so far. You're the first minister, as far as I know, that embarked on such an important health expo or health fair. I like to call it an expo because it's all about exhibiting health, different health companies and stuff like that. So how important is it for you as an MP or a government minister to get the support of the other MPs and ministers to get on board with this initiative in their constituencies?
[00:10:08] Speaker A: Well, they have, you know, you just, you see, we are a team of persons who, as I said before, we came from our community, most of us, and we understand people.
So when you come up with such an idea, they embrace it. And I will pass on Ms. Samuel and her team to the other MPs so they could get an opportunity, just like I am getting now for Tunapuna, my constituency. I want it to be spread all over Trent and Tobago.
[00:10:37] Speaker B: So my final question to you this morning. Would you also be accompanying your colleagues in this health drive across the country?
I know you mentioned passing on Ms. Samuel, but would you. Would you be also there with them, championing the cause, walking through the communities they would want to see you in?
[00:10:52] Speaker A: And. Good question. You see, whilst the Tunapuna constituency is mines, Trinidad and Tobago is mines.
That's how I see it.
So, yes, Tuna Puna, But I still have a responsibility to the people of.
[00:11:08] Speaker B: Trinidad and Tobago, the Health Ministry. Have you been in contact with him recently to find out his thoughts? I mean, I know he would definitely be on board.
[00:11:15] Speaker A: Total supporter.
If ever there was a minister, I would want to say that. I wouldn't say that he's a yes man, but he likes good initiative, especially where health is concerned, because he too, is a people person and thinks about person's health.
[00:11:31] Speaker B: And it would be remiss of me if I didn't ask you about your travels to Jamaica. You know, being part of the official delegation representing this government. You know, what was that experience like when you were at Caricom?
[00:11:45] Speaker A: That was simply amazing, fantastic. And it proved that, you know what?
We as a people, we were left behind for years in terms of technology, in terms of that drive to really have a hold on crime.
We didn't do it because I remember a statement made in the past that, you know, we're spending too much of money on national security.
But then if you. If you.
You are the king and you have a castle and the people inside is your subjects, but they are all killed. If everybody dies, are you still a king?
[00:12:22] Speaker B: A king of what?
[00:12:23] Speaker A: A king of what?
[00:12:23] Speaker B: A king of what?
[00:12:24] Speaker A: So that's what we need to do. We need to protect our people by any lawful means necessary.
And that is what I took back from there. Jamaica is willing to protect its people and Trinidad must do the same.
[00:12:36] Speaker B: Final question for you. Were there any health conversations happening at that Caricom meeting with the leaders?
[00:12:41] Speaker A: Of course, you know, there are a lot of conversation in terms of health. And one of the things that they were speaking about at the Caricom, too, is, I want to say, change and how to bring about that change?
You see, there are many persons who will talk and talk and talk and talk and talk.
Stop dreaming, stop talking and convert that into actions. Let people see what you're talking is what you're doing, and that is what we are doing here this healthier.
My approach to my country and its security.
It's not about talk, it's about getting things done.
[00:13:19] Speaker B: Thank you very much, Minister Roger Alexander, Minister of Homeland Security and of course the President of Hnatt Samuel. Ms. Samuel, thank you so much for passing through and, and being here with us to share this information.
[00:13:31] Speaker A: You know they were talking about climate change a lot about climate change. Right. Cause some people don't see it but at the same time we were talking about how crime could change in a country.
[00:13:44] Speaker B: So we had climate change and how crime could change. Well, I know if it is sneaky that it wouldn't have been Minister Roger Alexander here you found a very charismatic and crafty way to sneak in able bodied men health and if you're healthy you could help us fight crime because you might see something. So go and check your eyesight. Go check your side.
[00:14:03] Speaker A: Check everything.
[00:14:03] Speaker B: Check everything. I want to thank you you guys for passing through this morning. A beautiful interview. And where is this healthier taking place? Very quickly.
[00:14:10] Speaker A: It's all right.
It's at the constituency office at the corner of Green street and El Dorado Road where the old Ministry of Education building used to be.
[00:14:20] Speaker B: Right there, Right there. Beautiful. And from what time? 10am to 3pm 10 to 3. And we can expect all these wonderful goodies and these free screenings with the absence of the ECG at $50 and the importance of the ECG people don't understand my heart. Good. I saw somebody at one of the fears, took an ECG test and recognized there was a problem and had to.
[00:14:40] Speaker A: Be referred about identifying things early.
[00:14:43] Speaker B: Thank you so much.
[00:14:43] Speaker A: But check yourself before you wreck yourself.
[00:14:47] Speaker B: Honorable Minister of Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, no stranger to the world of media and with that being said, that wraps the interview.
[00:14:56] Speaker A: The best insight, instant feedback, accountability. The all new Talk Radio Freedom 106.5.
