RESIDENTS from Lower Buxton and surrounding communities in St Ann turned out in droves to seek medical attention at a free health fair hosted by the United States-based Health Care International Reachout at the Lower Buxton All-Age School in the parish last week.

A team of approximately 50 volunteers, which included medical doctors, dentists, registered nurses, paediatric dentists and students of at least three US universities, worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure that the large crowd was attended to.

Students from several schools in the area also benefited from the fair, particularly the dental services.

“I feel good about this. Nuff ah the time we would have to pay money to pull teeth,” Canute Brown, a resident of the community who benefited from the health fair, told the Observer North East.

“The people of Lower Buxton do appreciate it and they are very excited about it,” Hyacinth Brown, another community member, added.

Brown said persons from the community would normally have to travel to Brown’s Town in order to get access to these services.

Principal of the Lower Buxton All-Age School Rose-Marie Marston also sang high praises for services provided by the medical team.

“I am very happy that all the parents in the adjoining communities as well as the Lower Buxton community have come out to support this health fair. I think it is a well needed thing as many of the persons here find it difficult to take care of themselves, and with a venture like this I am sure they are really appreciative,” Marston said.

She noted further that the need is great for many of the students, some of whom were in desperate need of dental treatment.

“I am very happy that we are able to address those needs as well as the medical needs of some of our students because the parents find it difficult in this rural community,” she said.

A grateful Marston said thanks was too small a word, to express to the team what they have done.

Health Care International has been visiting Jamaica for more than 20 years, providing health and dental care to rural communities across the island.

Dr Noel Brown, a Jamaican dentist who studied in the US and who initiated the visit of Health Care International to Jamaica, said the aim of the organisation is to provide service to those who are in need.

“Being a dentist in Jamaica, I noticed that the need for dentistry is here and that is why we are doing that to communities such as this,” Dr Brown said.

He added further, “We were looking forward to a crowd like this.”

Dr Brown said each volunteer on the Health Care International outreach team paid their own air fare, accommodation fees and transportation to areas where the health fairs were held. The group of volunteers also purchased the medical supplies used, which cost approximately US$30,000.

Dr Ralph Cunningham, a dentist and professor at the University of New York who was a part of the team, said this was his 15th visit to Jamaica, as a part of the Health Care International team.

Dr Cunningham, like other members of the team, was pleased with the large number of persons they were able to attend to.

“The service we are giving is great for the country,” he said.

Dr Cunningham also noted that the health fair was a great experience for students studying dentistry at the University of New York who received hands-on experience at the fair.

“The faculty from the University accompany the students here so that we can be responsible people and teach them and be responsible for the patients, also,” Dr Cunningham said.

Health Reach International also distributed hygienic products to persons attending the health fair.

Other organisations such as the St Ann Health Department, the Registrar General Department (RGD), the Programme of Advancement through Heath and Education, and the Tax Administration also participated in the health fair.