ST THOMAS, Jamaica — As part of its annual public health outreach, the St Thomas Health Department will be hosting a series of free back-to-school medical check-ups throughout the parish during the month of August.

The initiative, aimed at ensuring children and adolescents are in good health ahead of the new academic year, will be held at four health centres on consecutive Saturdays — the Seaforth Health Centre on August 9; the Isaac Barrant Health Centre on August 16; the Morant Bay Health Centre on August 23; and the Cedar Valley Health Centre on August 30.

All clinics will operate from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Services offered include general physical examinations for school-aged children, as well as HPV vaccinations for boys ages nine to 14 and girls ages nine to 26.

In addition, adolescents ages 10 to 19 will be introduced to the newly established Adolescent Clinics at the Morant Bay and Isaac Barrant health centres. These clinics are tailored to provide youth-friendly, confidential services that support healthy lifestyles and adolescent development.

Dr D’Oyen Smith, medical officer of health for St Thomas, is encouraging families across the parish to take full advantage of the programme.

“The back-to-school medical programme will ensure that children in the parish have access to the healthcare they need to support a better quality of education,” Dr Smith said.

Parents and guardians are reminded to bring their child’s immunisation cards and health passports to the clinic.