ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Residents of St Elizabeth will benefit from a five-day Medical Mission Health Fair offering free essential health services across five communities from May 18 to 22.

The event is a partnership with AdventHealth, Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited, the Jamaica Union Conference, and the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The initiative is part of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church’s ongoing response to communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, the category five storm that made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025.

For Donmayne Gyles, president and chief executive officer of Andrews Memorial Hospital, the medical mission represents a commitment to fulfil his promise to continue reaching persons and communities affected by the hurricane.

“Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, we gave our word that as a hospital and church, we would continue to stand with those who were affected, and this is our fifth outreach endeavour in assisting individuals in the western parishes.

“Therefore, this Medical Mission Health Fair is one way of making good on that commitment. We are grateful that AdventHealth, a US-based healthcare institution, saw it necessary to partner in extending Christ’s healing ministry by bringing free healthcare. They will join our local doctors and nurses in offering compassionate care, encouragement and hope to the five communities in St Elizabeth,” Gyles said.

The initiative will offer free doctors’ consultations, eye and dental screening, prescription medication, pastoral and psychosocial care.

The outreach, which will take place at five locations, will begin at 8:00 am with registration and services offered from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The roll-out started Monday morning at Junction SDA Church. On Tuesday, the team will serve residents at New Market SDA Church. The health fair continues on Wednesday at InTown SuperCentre, School Street, Black River, before moving to White Hill SDA Church on Thursday. The final stop will be Santa Cruz SDA Church on Friday.

According to Gyles, the health fair is designed to provide practical support to families still recovering from the hurricane’s social, emotional and financial effects.

The inclusion of pastoral and psychosocial care is intended to address not only medical concerns, but also the emotional strain many residents continue to experience following the disaster.

Sponsors for the initiative include Comprehensive Eyecare, Three Angels Pharmacy Limited, LASCO, Facey Commodity Company Limited, Denk Pharma, Apotex, Cari-Med Group Limited, and Massy Distribution.

Members of the public are encouraged to take note of the location nearest to them and make use of the free services provided.