POLITICAL representatives and a medical doctor have come together to help improve the quality of health care in sections of West Rural St Andrew.

Dr Ryan Wan, a general practioner of Stony Hill, St Andrew, along with councillor for the Brandon Hill division, Gareth Walker, and caretaker for the Lawrence Tavern division, Homer Cameron, have combined their efforts to spearhead a programme called “Affordable Health Care,” facilitated through schools and churches.

Participants are provided with discount cards, which give minors a 50 per cent discount, and two adults from the child’s household a 25 per cent discount on each doctor’s visit.

When the cards are presented at WilloKare Pharmacy with a prescription, they receive a 10 per cent discount. This in effect, creates a total discount package of 60 per cent for minors and 35 per cent for adults.

Walker and Cameron said that the idea for the initiative emerged from the need that they saw in their respective divisions, and the constant requests that they received for assistance with prescriptions and doctors’ visits.

“The reality is the clinics are overwhelmed and can be an inconvenience for persons with a regular 9-5 job, as the wait to see a doctor can be anywhere between one to four hours,” Walker said.

“This partnership was a given, as Dr Wan is available six days per week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at a discounted price and persons can visit before going to work or during their lunch time. The willingness of WilloKare Pharmacy to join the programme is very fortunate, as too often I find people visit the doctor but are unable to fill the prescriptions as the prices are out of their reach,” Walker stated.

Cameron cited the enthusiasm of the various schools in his division, which have decided to be a part of the programme – Oberlin High School, Lawrence Tavern Primary and Unity Primary.

Dr Wan stated that he entered the profession to help people and as such he is for any programme that would assist people around him.

This initiative has been applauded by people in the various communities as a step in the right direction, which they think will ease some of their financial burdens.

Paul Buchanan, the Member of Parliament for the constituency is elated at the initiative taken by his councillor and caretaker as he believes, that it is only with creative thinking and partnership like this will persons be able to overcome these challenging time.