Annual MEC Health Fair

More than 300 people found out about health and wellbeing services at the Minority Ethnic Communities MEC) Health Fair at City Hall Cardiff in October.

More than 300 visitors and 40 stallholders shared an enjoyable and informative day at the Minority Ethnic Communities (MEC) Health Fair held at City Hall, Cardiff on Wednesday 4 October 2023. The theme of this year’s fair was “Get Healthy! Get Stronger! Let’s reduce health inequalities together.” 

Plenty of information was available at the event from a wide range of stalls on how people can look after their health and wellbeing. Visitors also enjoyed activities such as Tai Chi and Yoga and took part in a Question-and-Answer Panel with experts including GPs, dentists, Public Health Wales and Mental Health Services. The first 100 visitors received a free ‘Goody Bag’.

First Minister of Wales Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS opened the event and said:

 “This event continues to provide an important opportunity to raise awareness of the support available and learning about how we can live a healthier lifestyle which is so crucial to our well-being.

“Last year the Welsh Government published the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, setting out an ambitious programme of work to ensure Wales becomes an anti-racist nation by 2030.

“We committed to change “the systems, policies, processes and the ways of working we have, that too often have excluded and more, damaged ethnic minority people.” As a government we remain firmly committed to seeing the successful implementation of the actions in this plan.

“There remains an unacceptable variation in how individuals from ethnic minority groups access and engage with health services, and how this affects health outcomes.

“Specific actions in the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan focus on these inequities. Our Maternity and Neonatal Safety Support Programme will address the disparity in maternal mortality rates amongst Black and Asian women and babies. Safety champions have been appointed in every health board alongside national leads and Welsh Government has appointed a specialist clinical diversity lead.”

The First Minister later joined visitors as they took part in free health checks including Blood Pressure and BMI.

Guest Speaker the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Bablin Molik said:

“I am delighted to be here today to open the MEC Health Fair. Now in its 14th year, the Health Fair is an important event in Cardiff’s annual diary and Cardiff Council are very pleased to be supporting it. The purpose of the Health Fair is to support individuals from different ethnic backgrounds become more aware of their own health needs and to enable health providers to improve their understanding of community health issues. Covid-19 highlighted the various health inequalities that exist in our healthcare system and indeed the pandemic took a disproportionate toll on certain groups already facing poor health outcomes.

“There continue to be many gaps; gaps in access to our health system as well as inequalities in the care received. We all have an important role to play in reducing these inequalities and shouting about the gaps in and barriers to provision when we see them. Additionally, we know that certain minority groups are more at risk of developing certain health conditions than the general population. For all of these reasons, this event today is crucial in working to achieve a level playing field for all.”

Roon Adam, of Race Equality First, Chair of the MEC Health Fair Steering Group said.

“Today, we gather not only to celebrate our achievements but also to further our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our diverse community. Together, we can make a positive impact and continue to provide valuable support to those who need it most.

“Our health fair’s theme this year, ‘Get Healthy! Get Stronger! Let’s get together to reduce health inequalities,’ encapsulates our commitment to promoting overall well-being and addressing the pressing issue of health disparities within our community.

“Structural inequalities and institutional racism inhibit the enjoyment of many economic, civil and social political rights for ethnic minorities. This can be within education, policing, access to housing, working conditions, employment opportunities, Health and many more, which makes the world a very different place for some minority groups.  

“In today’s world, health inequalities persist, affecting individuals from various backgrounds differently. By focusing on ‘Get Healthy! Get Stronger!’ we are not only encouraging everyone to take proactive steps towards improving their health but also emphasising the importance of unity and collective action in the pursuit of equitable healthcare outcomes.”

When asked at the Fair the question “How can the healthcare system be improved to become more inclusive?” visitors’ responses included: Inclusive doctors’ surgeries; diverse teams of health workers will help to understand the issues of ethnic minorities; Employ more BAME [Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic] staff; Accept & deal properly with workforce complaints of racial discrimination; Actively listen to each person, treat us as individuals.

Councillor Julie Sangani, Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty, Equality and Public Health made the closing remarks at the event, saying, “Today we showcase the importance of prevention, regular check-ups, healthy lifestyles and early interventions. We emphasise the significance of mental health and well-being recognising that taking care of our minds is as vital as caring for our bodies. We have learned that health is deeply interconnected with our social, economic and cultural contexts and that addressing this factor is a key to achieving true health equality.”

Roon said: “I would like to thank all the organisations that have worked together to ensure we can hold this important event – Cardiff and Vale College, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff Council, CAVAMH, C3SC, CCAWS, Diabetes UK Cymru, Diverse Cymru, Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team Wales, Hayaat Women Trust, Hindu Council of Wales, Muslim Doctors Cymru, Oasis, Race Equality First, Sight Cymru, The Mentor Ring, and Women Connect First.”

“I would also like to thank our sponsors – Cardiff Council, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Age Cymru, Cardiff Third Sector Council, Versus Arthritis, South Wales Fire Service, Wales Gene Park, Cardiff Metropolitan University – Move More Research, Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) and Women Connect First.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

• For further information please contact Roon Adam T: 07593 259587 Adam@raceequalityfirst.org.uk; Anna Ros-Woudstra T: 07973 725334
• The Minority Ethnic Communities Health Fair (MEC Health Fair) took place on Wednesday 4 October 2023, 10 am – 3 pm at City Hall, Cardiff CF10 3ND. The Rt Hon Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales made the Opening Address.
• This is the 14th MEC Health Fair. The Fair aims to address health inequality and promote wellbeing through creating opportunities for positive engagement between people from minority ethnic communities and health providers. Each year the Health Fair has sought to lessen the gap between services and communities. The event helps health providers to better understand communities and encourages individuals from different minority ethnic backgrounds to better look after their health. The event also provides opportunities for individuals to raise their voices and discuss their experiences and concerns on health related issues.