Speeches 2007

Embassy Health Fair

Venue: American Embassy, Dar es Salaam

February 28, 2007

Opening Remarks by Ambassador Michael L. Retzer

Habari za asubuhi! Good Morning. I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone, particularly those who's first time it is to visit us here at the U.S. Mission in Dar es Salaam.

Here in the health unit, we continuously strive to promote the health and well being of all our staff and their families. To help us accomplish this goal we have organized this annual? Health Fair.

The aim of the Health Fair is to educate people about issues affecting their health and inform them of the resources available here in Dar es Salaam.

We have invited representatives from local hospitals and health practitioners to come. Each will further educate us about a health issue related to their specialty. Issues we want to highlight include proper nutrition, ideal body weight, smoking cessation, stress reduction, antenatal care, hypertension, diabetes, HIV/ AIDS prevention and treatment, occupational injuries, proper hand washing, malaria, and skin cancer prevention.

On behalf of the entire U.S. Mission, I want to thank all who agreed to participate in this Fair. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to share your expertise with us and support our Health Fair.

I would also like to thank many of you here for your continuous support in our Embassy Health Maintenance and In-house Health Plan programs. We sincerely appreciate your care.

A huge Thank you goes to members of the Medical Unit for their support and input into organizing this fair. I would also like to thank the Management Counselor, Dr. Mushingi, and his team for its continuous support of the Health Unit and for all health Issues of the Locally Engaged Staff, and the rest of the U.S. Mission team for their assistance in organizing the Health Fair. It is a large task that all of you made possible through teamwork.

Asenteni sana!