Just under 150,000 students and parents benefited from the COK Health, Wealth, Wellness and Back-to-School Fair held at Police Officers’ Club on Hope Road, Kingston recently.

The event, staged by COK Sodality Co-operative Credit Union Limited, in association with the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association and the Jamaica Observer, was being hosted for the second consecutive year.

As was the case last year, a major health provider at the fair was the Diabetes Association of Jamaica. The Nurses’ Association of Jamaica came on board this year and its members gave the event well needed support.

Health services and supplies were also provided by the Cancer Society, HEART Foundation of Jamaica, and Food For the Poor.

“This event is just one of the ways COK chooses to honour its social responsibility, by giving back to members and the wider community, through partnership/collaboration with other organisations,” the company said in a news release.

“COK realises that many persons – members and non-members – are in need of assistance in accessing medical attention, including getting back-to-school medicals done for the new school year, hence the decision to have this fair,” the company added.

Among the free services offered were blood sugar and blood pressure tests, eye screening, weight and height checks, and urinalysis.

In addition to accessing medical services, people attending the fair were able to have COK loans processed, especially those for education.

School supplies and other items were also available at discounted prices.

The fair featured live entertainment, and children’s activities for children.