ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary — Residents of south-east St Mary have expressed gratitude to Ashish Health Care and the Indian High Commission in Jamaica which joined forces with other entities to host a back-to-school medical clinic in the area last Sunday.

The clinic was held at Annotto Bay Multipurpose Sports Complex and saw more than 500 children and adults receiving free medical and dental checks, eye tests, vaccination, and medications.

“It was a one shop for me, as one got his vaccination, they got their teeth cleaned, and even me got eyeglasses and medications,” said Marlene Martin, who took her three children to the clinic.

“I feel good about it, as it would have cost me too much and I wouldn’t get so many things,” said Martin with a smile as she pointed to the medications she received for free from the medical team.

Other parents were also full of praise for the medical team, a fact the pleased Indian native Dr Nagendra Babu Chandolu, who runs Ashish Health Care with his wife, Dr Alekya Daram, Indian.

“We are really happy that the people of the community benefited from us after such a huge loss done by Hurricane Beryl,” said Dr Chandolu.

He added that he was grateful for the partnership of the Indian High Commission which donated medication, and companies such as MSN Pharmaceuticals, Ipca Laboratories, and Bioprist, which also contributed medicine.

In the meantime, newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica Shri Mayank Joshi said he was pleased with the collaboration between the Indian High Commission and stakeholders to give back to residents of Jamaican communities.

“I am pleased to see the continuation of this medical clinic in association with Ashish medical team and doctors of India and other stakeholders in sustaining it for the past three years, and seeing the communities coming out despite the setback they have due to the hurricane,“ said Joshi.