MORE than 400 people recently received free health care at the sixth community fair hosted by the Church of God Body of Christ Seventh-day in Barbary Hill, Murray Mountain, St Ann.

The health fair, however, could not have been successful without the church’s partners — Sandals Foundation, Lasco Pharmaceuticals, St Ann Health Department, Jamaica Cancer Society, Food For The Poor, C B Machines Service Co, Glencour Paper, Harbour View Meat Mart, Lance Blake of Canada, Nurse Randa Pycard of Georgia, United States and other local and overseas sponsors.

Services offered include medical check-ups, pap smear, testing for HIV/syphilis, blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks, eye examinations, dental examination for children and the provision of medication.

Clothes, linens, and school supplies were also packaged and handed out.

Residents of the nearby communities of Stepney, Calderwood, Sterling, McKenzie, Barbary Hill and Murray Mountain were all grateful for their goodie bags and the free health services, and sang praises for the annual humanitarian event.

“… Each year it gets bigger and better. We are so grateful for our wonderful partners to make a difference to help so many less fortunate people. The communities all look forward to this annual event,” said Missionary Sarah Blake, one of the main organisers of the event.

“After last week’s home visit to a patient with diabetes and hypertension, I was saddened that she could not fill her prescription and get her medicine. Situations like these are propelling me to push for a bi-annual health fair,” Blake added.

When asked what keeps her motivated to continue the health fair, the missionary smiled and answered, “To see our brothers, sisters and children get the help they need, see a doctor, get medication, school supplies and many more.”

Added health education officer Michelle White: “This is an excellent partnership that gives us the opportunity to work in rural communities, bringing vital services to the people. It’s a venture we look forward to.”

Gladys White, 82, was excited about the day’s event. “I am very happy to see the doctor. I got my pills, sheet, towel, clothes and reading glasses. Every year I come! I walk over two miles from McKenzie to come and the exercise is good for me and keeps me fit. Pastor Blake gives everybody gifts even if they don’t come church.”

Accessing health care is a sore point for residents of Murry Mountain and nearby districts as the nearest clinic is the Alexandra Community Hospital, located about 10 miles away, and if patients get there in the afternoon when the doctors have already left they will have to travel to the St Ann’s Bay Hospital.

“I thank God for this day! I get everything free and I am so happy. [It was] my first pap smear and I did HIV testing; my son got his teeth cleaned and [he received] back-to-school supplies for September. It was worth the hour-and-a-half walk to be here. My neighbour told me [about it] last week and I am extremely happy, that is why it is important to live good with your neighbours… sharing is caring. I saved so much money and got so much,” said an excited Victoria Simpson, 41.

Pastor Courtney Blake, who was pleased with the day’s proceedings, said the fair took about eight months to organise, adding that it was worth every bit of time spent. “The people look forward to this fair year after year and are so happy when they receive all the services and medications and their bag of goodies. It was a wonderful, fantastic day,” said Blake.

Lyndsay Isaacs, Sandals regional public relations manager, who represented the Sandals Foundation, said she, too, was elated and pleased with the outcome. “Today is another day for all of us to be thankful for but for the many beneficiaries here, from children to seniors, it is an awesome day of special thanks. Everyone is so appreciative and happy. The distance to get to this peaceful deep rural part of our parish was far but totally worth the time.”

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts that continues to reach those most in need islandwide. It’s a wonderful feeling when we can partner with other entities for the betterment of society to deliver primary care health and life skills seminars like this benefiting so many persons,” Isaacs added.