STAY WELL & SPARKLE:  Health as Patriotic Priority

Patriot Force Logo“A man like you needs a million dollar life policy.”

“Who? Me?!”

Besides, he was recommending I be insured THREE times as much as my wife! That rattled my righteous indignation and sense of equality. After all man! My head was spinning; a newly minted surgeon, my first real job and new house all in one week – now this. But what made me really nervous was suddenly realizing how much more I was worth dead!

Then, he uttered words I will never forget: “The best insurance for your family is for you to stay healthy.”

How do we stay healthy in 2015?

Well, here are 3 simple points I’d like you to consider.

#1.  Know your place

When you and I came into this world, powerful universal principles were already in effect – and, like it or not, will still exist when we check out. Like gravity, they are eternal, non-negotiable and do not depend on what you and I believe about them. The trick is figuring out which laws/precepts/doctrines are valid and which is man-made religious contraptions designed to keep people in mental slavery and continued exploitation. If you paid attention to the world news the first week of the new year, you know what I am talking about.

Indeed, there is a Creative Wisdom, a Cosmic Mind and a natural order. Those who reject that, risk living selfish, unhealthy and wicked lives. Micah 4:6 puts it simply this way: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” When we first seek to align ourselves to this Wisdom, everything else falls into place.

#2 Don’t wait for sickness

Prevention is better than cure. This is the time of year to nail that down: those screening tests that will help save us from random cancers and other non-communicable chronic conditions. After all that Christmas cake, now is the perfect time not just for exercise resolutions, but to actually monitor your waist/hip ratio and body mass index (BMI). Yes, January is generally a tight month. But do it now and you don’t have to think about it again for the rest of this year. At my age, what tests should I have? When should I have that Pap smear, mammogram, prostate exam, cholesterol check etc. Click here to find out .

#3 Our Patriotic Duty

Dominica is a country that takes care of its own. That is why it ranks 35 in the world, above the United States in overall health care, strange as that may seem. We have a health care distribution system held up as a model for the developing world. Yet, despite the huge percentage of the national budget spent on health, ordinary people are vital in encouraging fellow citizens to take better care of themselves. This, my friends, is our patriotic duty.

Some of the very religious still tend to confuse true worship with only modest dress, shirt and tie with big Bible in tow, spending hours in prayer, praise, preaching and giving. That’s all good. But then there are those who will always neglect the things of which we speak. When invariably a health crisis pops up, they claim, “Don’t worry, the prayer of faith will save the sick.” When the reality sinks in, they plead with doctors to do everything they can. Often times it’s too late. Finally, they then brush it off by saying, “Oh, God loved her so much, He called her home.” And the ‘fool-proof’ theology comes full circle, ready to claim the next victim.

Dominica is a highly educated country. So why is it I keep hearing about not using deodorant because it blocks impurities in the armpit causing breast cancer? Why is it I keep hearing of someone not having a mammogram because it is radiation that squeezes cancer into the breast? Why is it I keep hearing that digital rectal exam is for maco men who allow themselves to be penetrated? Why is it I keep hearing that medicine are chemicals and I’m into my bush tea?

We need wisdom like yours

In a recent article I dared to propose a friendly Red/Blue cricket match to help heal the acute polarization rampant in this country. Not surprisingly, the idea was shot down – from both sides. Our people don’t appear ready yet for civil society. So next Sunday evening, January 18th at the Kingshill Baptist Church, I will be delivering a strong address about health as our patriotic priority. It will be an opportunity for believers to encourage each other to proactively engage the community; to help meet physical needs like housing, shoes and health promotion; to be truly light and salt as illustrated above. Where there is no vision the people perish.  We must envision a culture where we talk to each other as fellow Dominicans instead of at each other in the endless talk show echo chambers.

Yes, it is true that staying healthy is the best insurance for our families. I made that the mantra of my medical practice – clearly not the million dollars! In 2015, we must expand our territory beyond that limited view to serve as uniters and healers of our wounded land. People of faith must become a patriotic lightning force to be reckoned with. In so doing we will sparkle like shining stars in the darkness of backwardness – a brazen backwardness still holding back Dominica from attaining its true and glorious potential.

Dr. Sam Christian
Dr. Sam Christian

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Sam Christian is specialist surgeon who runs the Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road. It is a private practice ‘Casualty’ that offers timely medical care, office surgery, acupuncture and microdermabrasion. He is Medical Adviser to the Dominica Cancer Society and author of the faith and fitness nutrition book, ‘Mannafast Miracle.’ Dr. Christian can be reached at 440-9133. For more information, log on to the Urgent Care website.

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7 Comments

  1. SELMA
    January 13, 2015

    Excellent article Dr. Christian. Can’t believe some folks are still using those ancient tales as an excuse not to see the doctor. For if they’re real with themselves that’s all it is-an excuse! Most should know, given our extensive digital/telecommunication access that a physical is required at least annually, especially in your forties and onwards, including a mammogram for women and prostate examination for men respectively. So I encourage those who slack with their health to get with the program and seek early attention. Otherwise they may soon become the subject in an obituary program. Continue the enlightenment Doc.

  2. Ms. Perfect Hair
    January 12, 2015

    Hi Doc,
    Thanks for another brilliantly written article. Am particularly taken with point #2; “Don’t wait for sickness”. Its a great idea to start the new year knowing that one is in a good state of health, and most importantly to make an concerted effort to keeping it that way.

    Its true however that things could change at any moment, but just knowing that you are on top of things makes a difference.

    Am therefore encouraging my fellow Dominicans, to not wait until u feel ill to visit your medical practitioner. make it an annual visit, find out what is going on with your body, take pride in your health, for its worth the effort. Our health is by far our greatest wealth, or in some instances, no amount of money can purchase health.

  3. Francisco Telemaque
    January 12, 2015

    In a recent article I dared to propose a friendly Red/Blue cricket match to help heal the acute polarization rampant in this country. Not surprisingly, the idea was shot down – from both sides. Our “people don’t appear ready yet for civil society.”(Dr. Christian).

    No need to say Sam this is another great master piece as usual. Nevertheless, as stated in the quote above the politicians would never, ever, agree to even a friendly tea party where no alcohol is served! For this simple purpose; in order to keep the people of the country divided; as long as the respective parties can divide and concur; neither of the three parties will ever stick their neck out to become involved into anything which remotely appear to be a corporative effort to bring peace among the people of the country.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  4. Faithful Dominican
    January 11, 2015

    Amen Dr. Christian. We need a mental health holiday to rid ourselves of political tribalism, and healthy appreciation for walking, discussing not arguing, and learning to grow more fruits in every spot we can find. Where we ex exercise , produce more food and learn the art of community cooperative effort much of the crime and disease will fall away. Thanks sir for breathing new life into medicine on Dominica. Never forget you are a Godsend because you are not afraid to tell the truth.

  5. Phoenix
    January 11, 2015

    So much of what you have said resonates in my heart and mind. Thank you, Doctor.

  6. Souswell Souwee
    January 11, 2015

    Dr. Sam, once again you hit the nail. Many of us felt left out of this election because there was no debate on the issues, just throwing mepuis and blatant bribery. Thanks for reminding us that to be a patriot means staying well as a top priority.

    Just because they give us a Gospel concert doesn’t mean they hold to Christian principles. Believers must think, discuss and bring together those who are looking for something more. There are lots of people who think like you, doctor. I hope you don’t get discouraged. Keep on bringing people together for the greater good of Dominica.

  7. January 11, 2015

    Hello and good afternoon my people from a cold New York City. Thanks Dr Christian for this timely reminder because many of our people wait to late then their family say God love them so he called them home. Please my people visit the doctor or a specialist before it’s to late because that’s what I told my uncle last year when I came home. He got treatment for his prostate for slight discomfort he felt but he didn’t pay any attention to it until I took him to the doctor. Thanks again Dr Christian.

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