KINGSTON, Jamaica — Several residents of downtown Kingston have applauded the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) for its “Unity inna Di City — Help and Healing, Love Fi All and Wi Deh Yah” wellness fair staged last Friday.

The fair, held at SMA’s downtown Kingston headquarters, brought together essential health, social and developmental services for residents from neighbouring communities. It provided residents with access to medical consultations, screenings and public services in one central and welcoming space.

Nashanti Allen, a resident of Parade Gardens said she attended the fair to take advantage of the services offered, particularly the opportunity to receive a free full health check.

“I felt very comfortable visiting the doctor and moving around the different booths,” Allen said.

“When SMA hosts events like this, it gives a real sense of inclusion. It shows that they care about the people around them and want the community to feel involved,” added Allen.

She pointed out that this was not her first time benefiting from an SMA-led initiative, recalling activities hosted around the Christmas period in previous years.

Nashanti Allen, a Parade Gardens resident, was among those who benefited from health services provided at the wellness fair.

In the meantime, SMA’s Managing Director Dr Maria Myers-Hamilton, said the wellness fair reflected the entity’s established approach to staying connected with the surrounding communities.

“This is our community, and the people around us have supported SMA for years. Hosting initiatives like this has become part of how we stay connected and give back to those who are closest to us,” said Myers-Hamilton.

“We understand the value of creating a safe, organised space where individuals and families can access care, information and support. This initiative reflects our continued commitment to being present, responsive and engaged with the communities around us,” added Myers-Hamilton.

Residents accessed services from a wide range of partners throughout the day, including on-site medical consultations, support from the National Health Fund, vision screenings from the Lions Clubs Sight Clinic, wellness checks offered by Sagicor Life Jamaica, services from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), early childhood engagement facilitated by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), and STI screening and counselling provided by the TABS Project. Complimentary food and beverages were also provided, contributing to a comfortable and welcoming environment for attendees.

SMA covered the cost of birth certificates provided at the event, allowing qualifying residents to receive these essential documents free of charge.

According to Nicola Green, enrollment outreach officer with the National Identification System Project, the fair delivered meaningful value for residents.

“People were able to access several services in one place, including services they would normally have to pay for or travel elsewhere to receive. Everything offered was free, and that makes a significant difference,” Green said.