Jamaica Hi-5K Walk Run in six US cities
The third Jamaica Hi-5K Walk Run takes place in six American cities on May 7. While the event promotes a healthy lifestyle, its main objective is to assist Jamaican clinics under the Ministry of Health’s Adopt-A-Clinic programme.
Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, leads the charge at Miramar Regional Park in South Florida. The 5K also gets underway at 7:30 am in Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Charleston, South Carolina; and Phoenix, Arizona.
“It is an initiative with the intention of building the spirit of the states working together on programmes. We have already adopted clinics in Portland and St Catherine and two more will be announced for St Mary and St Ann,” said Mair, who initiated the 5K in 2019. “The initial goal is to have five clinics that we maintain for a three-year commitment under the Adopt-A-Clinic programme.”
Mair noted that there are over 360 clinics in Jamaica, the majority of which provide services to working-class and low-income citizens.
These institutions need as much financial assistance as possible, said Mair.
“Clinics represent the first line of health support in the community. That’s where people visit first with their immediate health care needs,” he told the OBSERVER ONLINE.
Persons can register for the event or donate by going to www.jamaicahi5krun.com.