Bermuda's Seventh-day Adventists are putting their philosophy of looking after the body as well as the soul into practice with a new mobile health clinic.

The congregation raised $65,000 to bring in the 12-seat minibus which will test blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels of residents as well as checking their height, weight and fat percentages.

The white van will soon be a regular feature at public events such as Cup Match and Harbour Nights, and there are plans to take it into neighbourhoods to test members of the public.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, who is also a physician, and Health Minister Patrice Minors, were at Seventh-day Adventist headquarters on King Street, Hamilton, yesterday for the official launch of the bus.

Both Ministers had their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels tested.

Dr. Samuel Bulgin, president of the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said yesterday: "It is our philosophy to deal with the mental, the physical and the spiritual, and our organisation has one of the largest parochial schools systems in the world and our health care facilities are in every continent.

"We've always been involved in health care issues and we have been doing this sort of thing at public functions."

Church members have been at public functions in Bernard Park in the past, taking the monitoring equipment in cars and setting up stalls.

And parishioners, some of whom are qualified nurses, will volunteer to do the testing.

Dr. Brown said: "I would like to congratulate the Seventh-day Adventist Church for their extension into the community and for always following through.

"It was an idea months ago, and now the vehicle is here. I look forward to this vehicle making a difference in the community."