Negril residents to receive free health checkups

Residents of Negril, Westmoreland, will benefit from free health services at an expo to be held on Sunday at the Wavz Beach in the resort town.

Community advocate Rosa Young is partnering with the Westmoreland Health Department to stage the event as part of her Wavz One Love Jerk Fest Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday. Activities will kick off with an evening concert on Saturday, featuring local artistes, before the health expo and jerk fest take centre stage the following day. Persons attending the health expo will receive free screenings and tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, HIV/STI, and immunisation, among other services. The event will feature fitness challenges and competitions organised by representatives from the Jamaica Moves programme.

Schools, churches, first responders, and tourists have all been invited to participate in the wellness activities, which will include a blood donation drive. The expo is the second such event organised by Young, who held a back-to-school health initiative last year. This time, the expo is aimed at reaching a wider audience, including older residents who may not be able to attend the festival's evening events.

"Some people are afraid of needles, but what better way to donate blood than by the seaside? It is not a tedious task, and we don't have to be afraid of getting checkups," she said. "If you come here, there are men and women who are medical doctors who have volunteered their time to tell you if you have high blood pressure, if you have [diabetes]. These are common ailments in Negril based on how we eat and live - fast food and eating on the run."

Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, praised Young's dedication and ongoing partnership with the health department, noting her commitment to promoting wellness in the community. Miller said the event aligns with the Ministry of Health and Wellness' 'Know Your Numbers' campaign, which encourages individuals to monitor key health indicators such as blood sugar and blood pressure.

"We have been talking to some of the service clubs and encouraging people to donate blood as a group. We know that there's always a need for blood," he noted.