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News
Free medical care for the needy
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A year after being forced to cancel their annual medical mission to Jamaica last year because of civil unrest linked to the search for Christopher "Dudus" Coke, Nova Southeastern University's medical personnel are back in Jamaica, providing free health care for the needy.
The group, which includes 120 dentists, optometrists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, cardiologists, podiatrists, gynaecologists and paediatricians, is being led by American philanthropist Don Daley and Jamaican-born doctor Paula Anderson-Worts, who is the residency programme director and assistant professor at Nova Southeastern.
There is no personal financial gain to be had from their visit -- as the medical personnel volunteer their services free of cost.
"Nova University has an outreach component and this is a part of it. We are just doing this as a way of giving back," Daley told the Sunday Observer Friday.
The mission, which is in its 11th year, travels to Jamaica twice annually, but last year's trip had to be abandoned as a result of the violence associated with the police/military operation in Tivoli in May.
This year, the first visit, which is now underway, is focused on providing assistance to those in need of medical services in the Corporate Area and St Mary, with a return trip planned for St James, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth in December.
Daley believes his team could spend up to US$200,000 or J$16.6 million in transportation, meals, hotel accommodation over the course of its nine-day medical mission to the Corporate Area and St Mary this month.
However, he says the bigger impact is on needy Jamaican families who would not normally be able to access the team's specialist care under normal circumstances.
"We really do not wish to focus on the money involved because, it is really not about that," he said.
The team's patients, who have been flocking to various locations in Kingston and St Andrew are accessing the team's medical services free of cost.
"You find that when you help three or four people from one household, they save that money that they would normally have to spend on medical expenses," Daley explained.
He also explained that once persons are seen by a doctor, the medical mission's on-spot pharmacy affords them the privilege of being able to fill their prescriptions instantly, also free of cost.
Some 3,000 patients are expected to be seen during the team's visit which started on June eight and will end on June 17.
According to optometrist Dr Sherrol Reynolds, there are a number of entities in the United States who donated eye medication to be distributed on the trip. She explained that this was very helpful since one of the major afflictions affecting Jamaicans' sight is glaucoma, and many patients she has seen are not aware of their condition.
Major sponsors of the mission are Moneygram, Air Jamaica, Sandals Resorts, Jamaica Pegasus, Jamaica National Building Society and GraceKennedy.
— Donna Hussey-White
 
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6/12/2011
This is a excellent idea to help the poor. I hope the outcomes are good and these trainee doctors aren't in JA to perfect their skills at the expense of the poor: a priveledge granted to them by our government, that failed the poor, with our inadequate health care service. This kind of perennial help shouldn't be seen or used as a substitute for properly ran Government health care services.
6/12/2011
Excellent, excellent.
Its full time the medical association of Jamaica gets its group together once per year to provide the same type of service to Jamaicans.
Its always outsiders doing this for us which we really appreciate, local Dr's its time to start giving back something also.
6/12/2011
We are aware that health Care is not a political issue; it's an act of humanitarianism; and It's horrifying to see how the majority of our people have been deprived of such, because their economic status. If there is a free health care it's all quackery. Death normally follows after their treatment. Our Country would be more prosperous under the British governance, than with this present bunch of liar Niggers; Gangsters, and Political opportunists. Good luck to those who might oppose my views:
6/12/2011
I wonder how many people died because the team was not able to come last year when they should have. The cost associated with how the Dudus affair was handled is certainly adding up.
6/12/2011
The gererosity of these people must be very much appreciated. The question is; what message is this act of generosity is sending to the PNP and the JLP who proclaim to be leaders of a Nation?: Millions of dollars have been constantly waisted on Roads construction, while our health care is very poor. Every single Jamaican should be privileged to a proper health care. What they are offering is just first aid help. We have yet to see what wlans they have to remove this Squalid Condition:
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