The CGSS Health Examination Center is aimed at people in difficulty. Its aim is to support this public and facilitate their access to care. Part of its activity is dedicated to farmers, a public who devotes little time to their health. They are notably offered measurements of the level of Chlordecone in their blood.
Did you know? Since the end of 2022, Guadeloupe has had a Health Examination Center (CES) managed by the General Social Security Fund (CGSS) of Guadeloupe and Saint-Martin. Located at the Antillopôle Activity Center, in Les Abymes, it is the first establishment of this type created overseas, out of a hundred existing on the national territory. The site is dedicated to people who are far from the health system and vulnerable (unemployed, students, young retirees, without a GP, without complementary health insurance, etc.). These groups can benefit from a personalized preventive health examination, fully covered by Health Insurance.
“The objective is to re-enroll the insured in a coordinated care pathway“, explains the CGSS. 2000 targeted patients have already been welcomed by the multidisciplinary team working on site (dentists, doctors, nurses, etc.).
Complete assessments are carried out free of charge at the CES, during the two hours that the examination lasts, between consultations, treatments, blood tests and various screenings.
Health prevention advisors are responsible for raising awareness and informing people about the Health Insurance assistance schemes to which they could be eligible. We also work with a questionnaire, which allows us to have an overall assessment of the situation, both administrative, social and medical, of the person in order to then build a course most appropriate for them.
Coralie Deglas, doctor responsible for the CES
Medical and paramedical care follows.
Agnès was referred by a social worker, while Emeric was referred by the approved association Objectif Insertion.
It was France Travail who sent me to a social worker. She suggested that I go and do this complete assessment. There is a need for support and to share too!
Agnès, fifty-year-old, unemployed caregiver
I came for a health check, to see if I have any problems. It's important. They think of us anyway.
This journey can be monitored to verify the implementation of the recommendations or, if necessary, to collective workshops to reinforce the consideration of behaviors conducive to better health.
The patients of Marie-Galante are not forgotten, since an agreement was signed with the Sainte-Marie hospital center, to offer the same services on site. An identical deployment is planned for the Basse-Terrienne zone, as well as for Saint-Martin.
An offer from this prevention structure concerns specifically farmers and retirees from agriculture.
Indeed, since the second quarter of 2024, the Health Examination Center has offered them a complete assessment of their health, which is also fully covered. This route is all the more necessary as this particular population presents risks, particularly in terms of contamination by Chlordecone. Blood screenings are planned for them.
In Guadeloupe, farmers rarely use healthcare. They work a lot, they don't necessarily take the time to take care of themselves and their health. So we go to them, to encourage them to take this time for themselves. To date, we have received more than 150 farmers (…). We had positive Chlordecone results. It is seen as inevitable. You should know that a positive dosage is not irreversible.
Coralie Deglas, doctor responsible for the CES
Clear information and advice are then provided.
By strictly following the dietary advice, we know that we can reduce the rate.
Coralie Deglas, doctor responsible for the CES
The patients concerned can be referred to workshops, within structures mobilized on the subject. The soils of their Creole gardens can also be assessed.
An edifying figure to remember: four out of ten Guadeloupeans delay or even give up their care, due to lack of budget, or because of long delays in obtaining an appointment.
