AFTER a four-year hiatus, The University of the West Indies Medicine and Dentistry Class of 2027 has announced the return of SMOKER, a charity play directed and cast by students to raise funds for a Jamaican hospital in need.

SMOKER has been part of the institution’s legacy for over 60 years, and this September the curtains will rise again at Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts located on The University of the West Indies, Mona campus.

“We are proud to reignite this meaningful tradition for the love of charity, the love of our country, and service to our health sector,” the team said. “We aim to raise $2.5 million to help Linstead Public Hospital open a paediatric ward, and we need your support to make this happen.”

Started in 1950 by the late Professor Barrie Hanchard and some of his classmates, SMOKER was an outlet for medical and dentistry students to de-stress after their final examinations. However, over the years it evolved into something much more meaningful — a powerful tradition where third-year medical and dentistry students pour their hearts into creating a theatrical production to support a Type C hospital. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Faculty of Medical Sciences to pause this beloved event, leading to a significant loss of momentum and awareness.

“After learning about this well-intentioned tradition and recognising the need in the health-care sector, as budding physicians we are determined to reignite the spirit of SMOKER, take it to new heights, and successfully pass on the baton to those who will come after us,” the team added.

This year’s play, titled Love at First Wine, is a Caribbean adaptation of Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet. Two star-crossed lovers, Jasmine (Keri Samm) and Romario Jr (Christophe Rose), from rival musical genres, will develop an unlikely union, challenging a long-standing feud between the two most influential groups residing in the exotic and embattled Xari Island. The event will showcase three stagings, each aimed at captivating the audience and raising funds for a noble cause. Additionally, the team plans to collaborate with a sign language interpreter to ensure that the event caters to the hearing-impaired community.

The beneficiary for SMOKER 2024, Linstead Public Hospital, is located in St Catherine. This Type C hospital has 87 beds and serves other parishes like St Mary, St Andrew, St Ann, and Clarendon. The hospital, which receives referrals from 10 health centres in the Linstead community and these neighbouring parishes, is in dire need of a paediatric unit.

“Our class has visited the hospital several times, most recently on Labour Day, where we had the opportunity to interact with patients, staff, and community members, and observe the many services provided. We even painted the area intended to be the paediatric unit, which is the focus of our fund-raising efforts this year,” the team said.

SMOKER 2024 chairperson Toni Anne Green, and lead director Darla Campbell, are leading a passionate team of students dedicated to making the event a resounding success.

“We are also grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the Medicine and Dentistry Class of 2028, who have demonstrated solidarity and involvement in our cause. So far, we are grateful for the few sponsors we have on board, with ScotiaBank and Surgix Jamaica Limited as our platinum sponsors, and the UWI Medical Alumni Association, Ribbiz Ultra Lounge, Medical Protection Services and Love FM as our silver sponsors. However, to achieve our goal and make a substantial impact we want to invite more individuals and organisations to join us as sponsors for this worthy cause,” the team said.

UWI SMOKER is social media @uwismoker2024.