Sandals Royal Caribbean’s charity committee, headed by the resort’s general manager Carl Hendriks, recently joined with Hope for Jamaica’s medical team to bring a community health-care safari to just under 160 residents housed at two of the resort’s major outreach facilities.

On its first stop the safari, which is convened annually to mark the celebration of Health Week, brought comprehensive medical examinations and treatment to the 74 boys at Copse Place of Safety in Lethe, Hanover.

Medication was dispensed to the boys, primarily to treat colds and skin rashes.

“Skin-related illnesses are popular in shared living facilities like this,” said head of the medical team, Dr Peter Swaby.

He added that the Kingston-based team comes prepared annually, with antidotes to treat skin maladies.

Those with other ailments, mainly dental, will be treated in an upcoming health-care sequel that will also be organised by the resort.

More than 80 residents at the St James Infirmary also benefited from the visit by the medical team. The list of medications issued for treatment was much longer at this facility, where residents received medicine for arthritis, diabetes and glaucoma-related illnesses.

“This is always a well-received project,” said Hendriks. “We may even look into increasing the frequency of these visits at both institutions as the turnover of clients, particularly at Copse, is becoming higher.”

Copse, which is both a shelter and rehabilitation centre for boys aged six to 18, was adopted by Sandals Royal over eight years ago. The infirmary, which has been sponsored by the resort for the past four years, is home to underprivileged senior citizens.

As part of the three-day health-care programme, the resort donated pre-used linen to outfit the dormitories at both institutions, as well as ward nine at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

The donation, valued at just under $200,000, will continue as a monthly venture of the Sandals Royal charity committee throughout the year.