St Ann residents receive medical care from overseas mission

More than 1,000 residents from St Ann benefited from a three-day medical mission spearheaded by HOPE Mission 360, a non-profit organisation committed to improving global healthcare access.

The mission, which is led by a team of medical professionals and volunteers, set up temporary clinics from June 9 to 11 in Ocho Rios, Golden Grove, Claremont, Moneague and Mount Edgecome, delivering healthcare services to those who found it difficult to afford or access medical care.

Ninety-five volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and support staff came together to offer a range of essential medical services, including general check-ups, health screenings and dental care. Educational sessions on preventive healthcare practices, hygiene, and healthy living were also conducted.

In an interview with JIS News at the Golden Grove Primary School, Dr Alicia Shelly, medical director of the mission and primary care and internal medicine physician in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighted the impact the seven-year-old organisation has had on residents.

"We actually do our best to see as many people as we can in the areas that we come. It is a blessing for me being a regular internal doctor to be able to come and serve people in different countries, and we are so happy to be here in Jamaica to be able to serve the people of Jamaica," she said.

"We have had people who didn't know they had high blood pressure whom we have been able to diagnose and give them medication and get them to follow up with their doctors here in Jamaica. We had a patient who was having a mental issue and we were able to diagnose that and get that patient sent to the hospital to be admitted," Shelley added.

She added that the mission also incorporated a give-back programme, with children being the main beneficiaries. Two hundred and seventy-five backpacks with school supplies were distributed to students of Golden Grove Primary. Residents received various items including toiletries, while children also got shoes.

Keith Foreman, 75, from Claremont, said the assistance provided was top-notch, noting that he turned up at the clinic with higher than a normal blood pressure level "and the team provided immediate care to reduce the level".

"I just want to say a special thanks for the awesome, tremendous work you guys are doing. We appreciate it very much, and the thing about it is that we can't repay them for what they are doing," he said.

HOPE Mission 360 is a Seventh-day Adventist group that journeys around the world to touch the lives of people.