Free health screenings are to be held for the public in advance of an event designed to help halt the problems of obesity and diabetes.

The screenings, all in Hamilton, started yesterday at the Queen Elizabeth Park in Queen Street.

More will be held today at the Ministry of Health headquarters, on Thursday at the Dr E.F. Gordon Park on Dundonald Street and on Friday at Washington Mall, between clothes store Jazzy’s and Heel Sew Quik.

All the sessions will run between 11.30am and 1pm. The free public presentation will be held at the Hamilton Princess on Tuesday, January 16.

The event, between 6.30pm and 8pm, will feature island and international experts.

A “mini health screening” will also be held at the hotel between 5pm and 6pm.

The screenings and presentation come in the wake of the ministry’s “Taking it to the Streets” health screening campaign.

About one-third of those checked were sent for further medical assessment due to high blood sugar or high blood pressure.