tomorrow which could save them hundreds of dollars in the Island's biggest ever health fair.

Staff at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital are giving their time free to screen members of the public for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Speech pathologists will perform hearing screening, and diagnostic imaging staff will carry out bone densitometry tests to detect signs of osteoporosis.

The "Passport to Good Health'' fair, which is being held in the hospital lobby from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is being sponsored by Argus Insurance as part of the company's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Visitors will get the chance to meet health charities, enjoy a healthy lunch, and enter a free competition.

The hospital has offered free screenings in the past, but never on such a large scale.

Chief Executive Officer of Bermuda Hospitals Board Stephanie Reid said yesterday: "In the normal train of things, people are afraid to go to the doctor or hospital, but in the fair we would like these people to enjoy just talking about health and how they can take care of themselves, get their checks done and have a good time.'' Argus President and Chief Executive Officer Gerald Simons said health care costs were rising at six to eight per cent a year in Bermuda whereas the cost of living was only going up by three per cent.

He said: " We have a responsibility to finance health care and to reduce cost. If we could reduce the rapid increase of health care, we would be able to afford more schools, roads and the other things the community needs.

"One way of reducing health care costs is preventive medicine. We are very proud to be associated with this venture.'' All money raised from the fair will go towards buying an Ultra Portable Propac machine for measuring heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and pulse rates.