ACCOMPANIED by her grandson, Bevonney Walker travelled from Hamster district in St Thomas to capitalise on the free services that were being offered at the first-ever St Thomas Health Fair on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

“Now I can read my Bible again because I got my eyes tested and I got free eyeglasses,” 74-year-old Walker told the Jamaica Observer.

“I needed to see the optician, and this health fair was just appropriate for people like me who really can’t afford to go see the specialist or to even buy eyeglasses,” Walker added.

Lynette Wilson, also from Yallahs, was thankful for the health fair, a collaborative effort between reggae artiste Stevie Face and the Help Jamaica Medical Mission based in New Jersey, USA.

“I am a diabetic, and most times I can’t afford the medication, so I came here today, because this is benefiting a lot of people. The service today has been very good,” said Wilson, who was one of close to 2,000 people who benefited from the event held at Yallahs Primary School.

After she saw the medical representative, Wilson took her prescription to a mobile pharmacy on the grounds of the school, where the medication was administered free of cost.

Julio Lara, who has issues with his eyesight, had praises for the organisers of the health fair.

“I am from Heartease, and my eyes are sick, so I come to look about them. This thing here is a good look and mi love the vibe,” said Lara.

An elderly resident from Hamstead, Owen Irving, said, “I don’t feel too right in my body, so I came here to get a check-up. This is a positive move for the parish, and mi appreciate it.”

Dr Robert Clarke, president and founder of Help Jamaica Medical Mission, explained that the mission is a charity care organisation.

“We come to Jamaica each year for charity care work and to do health fairs around the island. We see people who are not so well-off financially to purchase medication or to see a doctor. We try to find those people in the underserved communities; we go to them, and we administer health care and give them free medication to last them up to a year. This is a joy for us to give back,” Dr Clarke told the Observer.

Stevie Face, who is a resident of Albion in St Thomas, had lobbied for the health fair to be held in the parish of his birth.

“We have been lobbying to get it here, so after five years of lobbying we finally got it here. The response that you see here today is tremendous. I am honoured to be a part of it. I am happy that I can serve the community and serve the people. A yah so mi grow, a yah so mi born, and they have created who I am today. This initiative is from my heart. They have supported my businesses and anything that I try to do, they have been behind me,” he told the Observer.

He said he was humbled by the large turnout of residents.

“The doctors are committed to seeing every single person today before they leave. They are doing blood pressure checks, glucose checks, eye tests, free medicals for the children who are going back to school, free eyeglasses to people with eye issues, and also free medication. The people are elated that I could bring this to them, and I am happy that corporate Jamaica saw the vision and came on board,” Stevie Face disclosed.

Free meals and refreshments were provided throughout the day. Among the corporate entities that supported the initiative were National Baking Company, Honey Bun, Grace Foods — they provided care packages for residents — the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and Guardian Life.

Tenn Black, insurance advisor at Guardian Life, said his company was pleased to be a part of the health fair.

“Guardian Life had to be here today because health is something very important to us, and we are a family company and we take care of the family in every aspect,” said Black.

Member of Parliament for St Thomas Western James Robertson also gave the event his support.

“Without initiatives like this we will not be able to strengthen our communities. What you see Stevie Face doing now, and the help and the development we see now, this is helping a lot of people. Without education you cannot strengthen a community, and without health, it’s impossible. So what’s taking place here today is a dream,” Robertson said.

Known for his hit cover of Tell It Like It Is as well as I’m In Love, Stevie Face owns several businesses in Albion and Kingston which provide employment to residents of St Thomas.

The Observer was told that the health fair was the first of what will be an annual initiative.

Medical assistant Aneita Fullerton (left) checks the glucose level of diabetic patient Khavel Dixon at the St Thomas Health Fair.

Guardian Life agents were out in full force at the St Thomas Health Fair. From left to right Tenn Black, Claudia Edwards and Audrey Morris

People patiently await their turn to see the doctors