PORT MARIA, St Mary — Impressed with the work Ashish Health Care has done in Annotto Bay and other sections of St Mary over the last decade, the local parish library and IPCA Pharmaceutical this year became part of its effort to help area residents. They joined long-standing sponsors Indies Pharma and the Indian High Commission in providing medical and dental clinics, care packages for the elderly, and recognition of community stakeholders.

IPCA Pharmaceutical Country Manager Ravi Teja said they were happy to be part of the initiative, spearheaded by philanthropist Dr Nagendra Babu Chandolu’s Ashish Community Health Organisation.

“We have seen the work of Dr Chandolu, and his foundation has been doing it over the years in St Mary. It’s great work he has been doing and it’s an honour to be a part of it,” Teja told the Jamaica Observer.

Among those helped in St Mary on July 25 was Marcell Brown, who took her daughter to the clinic for a number of services.

“This is good for me and many parents like me who have a busy schedule. I came today so she can see the dentist, eye testing, getting medications at the same time, and get back-to-school supplies,” said Brown.

An elated Dr Chandolu said the day was a success.

“We were able to service at least 300 persons. Some were adults and needed to see the doctor, as we didn’t limit ourselves to seeing students. Our students from Ashish School of Nursing helped to make the process easier, therefore we could manage the numbers,” he said.

Free medical clinics were also held in Kingston on July 26, and St Thomas on July 27.

For Dr Chandolu, Annotto Bay has been his source of strength throughout the years.

“The community is so good — I feel like this is my birth place. They are always respectful and friendly and they — especially the elders — will pray for me that the breadbasket will never be empty. These are the blessings that I build on,” the young doctor said.

“Parents and students are always appreciative of our free back-to-school medical clinic as we not only do their medical sheets, but we offer dental and eye testing for prescription eyewear, along with medications and back-to-school supplies,” Dr Chandolu said of his clinic.

IPCA Pharmaceutical’s Teja is looking forward to leveraging that company’s expertise for future community outreach efforts led by Dr Chandolu and his team.

The 76-year-old IPCA Pharma, which offers its products in 120 countries, is a distributor of painkillers, medications used in rheumatology, anti-malarials, and haircare therapy. Ranked among the top 300 brands of Indian pharmaceuticals, it has been doing business in Jamaica for a decade. According to Teja, their interaction with patients during that time has revealed that a lot of adults are suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes.

“These are conditions that are high among Jamaicans, and they need to be recognised early before it becomes serious,” he urged.

— Ingrid Henry

Philanthropist Dr Najendra Babu Chandolu at work during the July 25 medical clinic in Annotto Bay, St Mary. (Photo: Ingrid Henry)

IPCA Pharmaceutical Country Manager Ravi Teja during the most recent clinic offered by Ashish Health Centre in Annotto Bay. (Photo: Ingrid Henry)