WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Aventa Jamaica Limited led a medical outreach on Saturday, December 6, themed “Jamaica, Rise” in partnership with the Sizzla Youth Foundation and the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association.

The mission brought together volunteer medical professionals, including psychiatrists, opticians, general practitioners, and registered nurses, alongside cultural advocates, and corporate volunteers to deliver free healthcare and emotional support to residents of Belmont, one of the communities hardest-hit by the category 5 storm.

Hurricane Melissa caused severe structural damage, extensive flooding, and prolonged power outages across Westmoreland, leaving many residents without access to basic services and health care. In response, Aventa Jamaica spearheaded the initiative to mobilise teams and partners to support families as they begin the long road to recovery.

Throughout the day, from 10:00am to 5:30pm, residents received a holistic intervention which included health screenings: blood pressure and blood glucose testing, eye tests, doctor consultations, and mental health consultation. While awaiting care, community members were engaged in cultural performances, dancing, and games. The children were captivated by the fun of bounce-a-bout rides, enjoying the treats of snow cones, popcorn, and prizes, which brought moments of joy and relief after weeks of hardship.

Aventa Jamaica’s leadership stressed that this initiative is aligned with the company’s Mission to Advance Health and Enhance Lives and stated that this is a “meaningful contribution to the impacted communities as their access to health would have being severely impacted by the passing of Hurricane Melissa”.

Reflecting on the mission, CEO of Aventa Jamaica, Glenise Durrant, noted: “We are grateful for the support of the Sizzla Youth Foundation, Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, and volunteer doctors as we visited Belmont, Westmoreland for our medical mission. We are truly excited to have our partners and staff working together to uplift the community. This initiative is something that we are very passionate about; it really embodies our mission of Advancing Health and Enhancing Lives.”

The mission’s psycho-social component was a central feature of the day’s agenda. Renowned cultural advocate and storyteller, Dr Amina Blackwood-Meeks hosted interactive storytelling sessions focused on emotional healing and resilience. “It is my absolute honour to participate in this relief and recovery effort. I’m here to support the emotional well-being of the community, especially the children, helping them talk through their experiences and recognise that their stories matter. This mission is about resilience. We’re not giving up; we’re going to build back stronger,” she remarked.

For his part, recording artiste and founder of the Sizzla Youth Foundation, Miguel “Sizzla Kalonji” Collins, emphasised the importance of unity and upliftment during this period of national recovery.

“The whole initiative is to help my people of Jamaica who’ve been affected by Hurricane Melissa to lift their spirits, boost morale and inspire them to be more than what they are today. We’re here in Belmont with doctors, nurses, and volunteers from Aventa Jamaica to bring care, wellness checks, and unity. One for all, all for one. When we work in this manner, there shall be no failure. This is the time to care and share. You know what I mean, put on that humanitarian hat. Rastafari love,” said Sizzla.

The day concluded with the distribution of more than 350 care packages to residents, further supporting households still recovering from the hurricane’s impact.

The “Jamaica Rise” Medical Mission forms part of Aventa Jamaica’s broader Hurricane Melissa response, which has included multi-parish relief deployments, emergency supplies, and sustained support for healthcare providers across the island. The company reaffirms its commitment to standing with affected communities as they heal, rebuild, and regain stability in the months ahead.