T&T’s Carnival is not only a major tourist attraction, but it is also a provider to several spin-off offerings even in the private health sector.
From a “mobile hospital” being provided by Spirit Mas to immunity boosters to medical grade silicone to diminish the appearance of scars to fete patches, masqueraders are being afforded numerous options when comes to staying fit and looking fresh.
Taking it one step further, Spirit Mas, which has been in existence for two years, has teamed up with Medical Associates Hospital, St Joseph for the first time this year to “bring next-level rehydration and recovery drips” straight to its revellers, according to a post on its social media page stated.
According to the post, packages include:
• ↓Basic—Stay fresh & hydrated
• ↓Energy boost—Power through the vibes
• ↓Supercharged fluids—Max stamina, no limits
• ↓Hangover cure—Bounce back FAST
• ↓Immunity builder—Fete HARD, stay healthy
• ↓Ready for D Road—The ultimate pre-road fix
While this is offered to Spirit Mas masqueraders, other mas lovers can go into to Medical Associates to get these services that range in price from $400 to $1000.
However, Spirit Mas revellers who collected their costumes this week had an advantage as Medical Associates personnel were on hand to give advice on these packages and for their masqueraders desirous of these services to prebook sessions.
Regarding the decision to partner with Medical Associates, CEO of Spirit Mas, Adrian Scoon said, “Spirit Mas is a customer-centred company and we want to ensure our masqueraders have a road experience that is as safe as it is enjoyable. Our recovery team has been there from inception to ensure our masqueraders stay hydrated and refreshed throughout both day. However, this season we wanted to provide even more support to our masqueraders, and that’s why we decided to partner with Medical Associates and include a mobile hospital in our road convoy.”
Along with the Medical Associates mobile hospital, the band will feature:
—↓Recovery team with mobile carts stocked with cold water and energy drinks
—Cold towels
—Recovery buses
—Refreshment stations at select vending booths at the Queen’s Park Savannah, a partnership with the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association.
Scoon added this particular initiative is supported by its sponsor Scotiabank.
Services offered in the mobile hospital include emergency services (cuts, bruises) and optional hydration packages.
Alliance Medical Services located in Chaguanas is offering two kinds of IV bags as it is advising revellers, “Don’t fall prey to fete fatigue, dancing dehydration or those horrible hangovers this Carnival season.”
Alliance Medical describes its Road Ready IV Bag as “an IV cocktail specially formulated to get you ready for the road by boosting your immune system and energy levels, improving hydration and enhancing your Carnival experience.
“Its Road Reviver IV Bag is an IV Cocktail specifically formulated to revive you after those miserable hangovers and give you that extra needed boost to continue on with the festivities.”
Both cost $500 each.
Over-the-counter items like fete patches continue to be a big seller every Carnival, one pharmacist told the Business Guardian.
One pack, which comes with two patches retails at $30 and promises to be an “easy hangover solution.” Ingredients include 50mg of thiamine (vitamin B1).
The pharmacist also shared that medical-grade silicone, which sells at around $300 a tube and promises that scars are “reduced, flattened and faded” with results “seen in as little as two weeks” is also a top seller.
He also noted that Simply L-Carnitine 3000 is also a popular buy during this season as he explained that L-Carnitine 3000 is a supplement that supports fat loss, boosts energy and enhances performance.
Meanwhile, other private health facilitates are offering different health packages which focus on specific needs.
For instance, Arima Private Hospital which is also using social media as one of its marking strategy is offering kidney, liver and cholesterol profile tests for $600.
While its”Full Carnival Health Package for just $800” covers kidney, liver and cholesterol profile tests as well as ECG ( electrocardiogram) and CBC (complete blood count) tests.
Safeguarding one’s sexual health is also paramount during Carnival time.
Several private clinics have been advising people to know their status by advertising screening package for STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infection) with same-day results.
For instance, Tricare Medical Centre at Heartland Plaza, Chaguanas is offering two packages.
Package one includes HIV, hepatitus B, syphillis (venereal disease research laboratory test), herpes 1&2 antibodies at $550 while package two includes HIV, hepatitus B, syphilis (venereal disease research laboratory test) herpes 1&2 antibodies, Gonorrhoea and Clamydia at $1,100.
Other private clinics are also urging people to know their HIV status during Carnival, and even after the season, are offering the test either drive-thru or in office for $80 with results within 15 minutes.