Community health needs will be thrust to the forefront of public affairs next Monday when Public Health Week begins in Bermuda boasting a whole host of informative events.

Thursday April 7 is also World Health Day, when Bermuda's healthcare practitioners will follow the lead of their colleagues all over the world in discussing the designated global theme of "healthy mothers and children".

The World Health Organisation and the Pan American Health Organisation have asked for the topic to be focused on in an effort to draw attention to the need of reducing the number of women and children who die during pregnancy every year.

Bermuda has had no cases of maternal mortality and only a few cases of infant mortality since 1998 ? although Acting Health Minister Walter Lister is well aware the Island cannot afford to rest on its laurels.

"Children are Bermuda's future," he said yesterday. "To give them the strongest foundation in life, we must continue to ensure that they receive the best in health care.

"But where global figures show that 15 percent of all birthing women experience a life-threatening complication requiring skilled birth attendants, emergency transportation and quality emergency obstetric care, Bermuda's excellent level of maternal care, before, during and after birth has enabled the local birthing experience for women to be among the safest in the world."

Mr. Lister also announced that a special booklet will be published this summer for parents and caregivers of new babies to record the fundamental health and development checks their children should receive.

"This initiative has been designed to help parents to know and do more about their children's health and development," the Minister added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health revealed some of the events which will grace Public Health Week including:

Daily lunchtime presentations sponsored by the Ministry, on a range of mother and child topics at Cathedral Hall in Hamilton, 11.45 a.m ? 2.15 p.m.

Windreach Recreational Village, the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association and Hamilton's Youth Library will all be offering programmes for children and families.

The Bermuda Diabetes Association, Bermuda TB and Health Association, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Women's Resource Centre and La Leche League of Bermuda will host public presentations on relevant topics.

Blood sugar screenings are to be offered by the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

A Health Fair is to be held on Thursday April 7 at Number One Shed in Hamilton and is hosted by Argus and the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Open Houses are to be held at the Bermuda Youth Counselling Services, the Women's Resource Centre and the maternity ward at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

For more information about the calendar of events, call the Health Promotion Office on 293-3491.