The Saarpfalz District Health Department presented itself on the occasion of the "Health Day" on 19 March at Christian-Weber-Platz. Citizens were happy to take the opportunity to get to know the health department and its many different tasks outside of the administrative offices.
Even though the health authorities have become more visible as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many of their areas of responsibility are barely recognised by the public. Employees from all areas of the public health department therefore welcomed the opportunity to engage in dialogue with interested parties and provide information about school entry examinations, early help, health supervision, prevention and reporting, official medical reports
and much more as part of numerous hands-on activities.
The dental service demonstrated how to brush teeth properly and the children clearly enjoyed scrubbing the oversized model of teeth. Meanwhile, the health supervisors gave tips on how to sanitise hands properly. A test with a UV light lamp and a fluorescent contrast agent proved that this can also go wrong. Doctors from the public health service offered to check vaccination records that visitors had brought with them. And finally, the public health department's stand also attracted an entire school class, who were able to test their knowledge on the topics of exercise, media time and health in the children's and young people's health service's question game. The Early Help staff did arts and crafts with the younger guests, while paediatricians answered questions about early intervention. The social psychiatric service also presented its work, for example handing out useful giveaways, including a card game with exercise tips for older people. Citizens were also able to find out about counselling in special life situations as well as prevention services.
Susanne Oberheim, who was in charge of organising the event, expressed her satisfaction and gratitude: "We are delighted with the great interest in our work. The fact that we were able to talk to so many people and reach both young and old was a great success, which was only possible thanks to the great commitment of everyone involved."
District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo, who, like the Chairman of the Staff Council Holger Seng and some colleagues from the district administration, stopped by the stand, praised the commitment: "Our health department has put together a great offer for everyone here, for which I would like to express my sincere thanks. I am delighted that this event has enabled us to raise awareness of the valuable work and extensive fields of activity of our health department."