Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Hundreds in Western Jamaica Receive Free Health Services
Montego Bay, December 12, 2019 – Jamaica – Hundreds ofresidents of western parishes turned out to access free health services on Tuesday (December 10) during the annual Don Daly Medical Mission.
A team of 85 medical professionals and volunteers from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in the United States administered a range of services at three clinics set up in Negril and Ketto in Westmoreland and Flanker in St. James. These include dental and optical services, blood sugar and blood pressure tests, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmaceuticals and more.
The 19-year-old health mission, held in partnership with the Government of Jamaica and the Sandals Foundation, is the brainchild of Jamaican radio personality in Florida, Don Daly, and Jamaican-born doctor and Associate Professor of family medicine at NSU, Dr. Paula Anderson-Worts.
Dr. Anderson-Worts, who spoke to JIS News at the clinic held at the Flanker Peace and Justice Centre, said that in addition to treating health problems, “we provide a lot of education to patients”.
“This is because even when the medicine is done, what helps the patients the most is education, where they are taking control of their own health and doing the things that they can do to make themselves healthier,” she noted.
As such, she said that patients are sensitised about the importance of proper nutrition, exercise and getting enough rest.
“We also help them to understand their condition, so they can make some lifestyle modifications to improve their overall health,” Dr. Anderson-Worts added.
Mr. Daly, for his part, said he is pleased with the turnout for the Flanker clinic.
“The day has been tremendous. We’ve had a good stream of people coming through and they all seem to have some good experiences,” he told JIS News.
“We sit down and talk to people and hear what is happening and then do what we need to do to make things better for them,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents expressed gratitude for the health services provided. Horatio Dixon of Flanker, who uses a wheelchair, said he is pleased to have received assistance in addressing his medical needs.
Contact: Okoye Henry
Release: JIS
Photo Captions:
Header: Jamaican radio host in Florida, Don Daly (middle), and Jamaican-born doctor and Associate Professor of family medicine at the Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Dr. Paula Anderson-Worts (right), interact with patient, Horatio Dixon, at the Don Daly Medical Mission in Flanker, St. James, on Tuesday, (December 10). Simultaneous clinics were held in Negril and Ketto in Westmoreland on the day.
Insert: Optometrist, Stephanie Yee (left), examines the eyes of patient, Daphne Bernard, at the Don Daly Medical Mission in Flanker, St. James, on Tuesday (December 10). Simultaneous clinics were held in Negril and Ketto in Westmoreland.
Avair Nembhard Photos
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
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