Palm beach — Operated by Instituto Biba Saludabel y Activo, IbiSA, Aruba’s Bus di Salud has been making the rounds among schools and neighborhoods since it was introduced by the government in 2012. The dedicated Bus Di Salud personnel sees between 4,000 to 4,500 people each year.
In November 2015 the bus stopped at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Hotel & Casino and screened 94 resort associates. In February 2016, for a period of four days, the bus screened an additional 105 resort associates for weight, height and waist line, establishing their BMI, body mass index, in addition to measuring blood pressure, blood sugar level, and cholesterol, dedicating 15-20 minutes per person, for a personal, informal, health and life style review.
While undergoing the consultation on the bus, associates were invited to talk about their concerns with the health professionals on board, a doctor and a nurse, and discuss their risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. As their weight was taken, they were given recommendations regarding exercise, and their consumption of Tobacco and alcohol were evaluated.
Resort associates reported great satisfaction with the level of service and professional care, and many signed up for a follow-up on the bus’ next upcoming visit.
The bus, a modern, fully equipped, mobile health-care unit, is supported by Botica Di Servicio, the resort’s sister company, a chain of popular pharmacies, with four affiliated locations, Botica Eagle, adjacent to the hospital, Botica Maria in St. Cruz, Botica Noord and Botica Seroe Preto, in San Nicolas,
The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino encourages its associates to maintain their health and wellbeing, including that of their family members. The resort encourages healthy eating habits, improved stress & anger management, the use of natural medicine, and the awareness of substance misuse, priding itself on educated and well informed staffers, who join Marilu Erasmus, an F&B Supervisor for Zumba, and regularly walk in a group, under the leadership of Glenn Farro, Director of Human Resources, a number of times every week.
