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Health fair returns to Baker People now more knowledgeable about services, says organizerDarrell Greer Northern News Services Published Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Hamlet Coun. Simeon Mikkungwak organized the main event; the Baker Lake Community Health Fair. A Baby Day was also held during the month, as well as a day focused on nutrition. Mikkungwak, now with the Kivalliq Inuit Association, worked with the Department of Health and Social Services about a decade ago. He said in the past, a community health fair would be held to help inform people as to what services were available in the community. "I used my experience to take the lead in organizing this because it was long overdue," said Mikkungwak. "The fair went very well, and I was surprised to see how many residents came out to it. "We've had quite a staff changeover in Baker during the last little while. "So, people left the fair a lot more knowledgeable about who's working where now, what health services are available within the community, and other issues concerning prenatal, social services and others." Mikkungwak said in addition to prenatal nutrition and social services, other agencies to have booths at the fair included physical health, dental health, search and rescue, the Baker Lake Against Suicide Team (BLAST), mental health, the sexual abuse program, a child and youth outreach worker, and a nurse from the health centre who tested for diabetes and gave out flu shots. He said the health fair is something he'd, definitely, like to see held on an annual basis in Baker. "The prenatal nutrition program also did an excellent job with Baby Day, and it tied-in nicely with the health fair. "My term as a councillor is up this month, but the health committee members I appointed have a two-year term. "After the municipal election, the fair will be at the discretion of whomever replaces me as the hamlet's health committee chairperson. "I'm taking a break from council for awhile, but I'd certainly like to see these health events continued."
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