THE Mavis Bank Health Centre in St Andrew buzzed with activity from morning until night on Sunday as scores of people who live in St Andrew East Rural took advantage of free services at a back-to-school medical and dental fair organised by their Member of Parliament (MP) Juliet Holness, in partnership with the Navodayans Global Group and Chandolu Global Health Care.

Children, accompanied by parents or guardians, were checked by the doctors to ensure they had no medical problems heading back to school in September. They also received free dental treatment as part of the support offered by the partners.

Eyes and blood testing were also done while free prescription medicine was also distributed to those in need.

“I am thankful to my MP for putting on this event for the kids especially. As you know, many parents can’t find the first dollar for the taxi much less the doctor, and many services were offered here today. I am pleased,” one female resident told the Jamaica Observer as parents moved their children from one station to the next, or took advantage of the services for themselves.

Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Rural Juliet Holness
controls entry to the room with the dentist’s station at the Mavis
Bank Health Centre in her constituency, as several people seek to see the dentist

Outside of the medical services, spot prizes — including bicycles as well as back-to-school items — were distributed to the children.

Holness, who beamed with pride having pulled off the event, told the Observer that she was happy to see friends from other communities within the constituency taking advantage of the services at the health fair.

“They’re always welcome when we do something in Mavis Bank because it’s one big, happy family,” Holness remarked.

Dr Nagamalleswara Rao Chandolu, founder of Chandolu Global Health and the Navodayans Global Group, said he was happy to have been given another opportunity to serve the people in his capacity as medical doctor.

A young man getting his vision tested at Sunday’s medical camp in Mavis Bank, St Andrew.

He brought out a team of health-care professionals, dentists, technicians and nurses who worked without taking many breaks as they served the people.

Chandolu told the Observer that he felt “proud and satisfied” to have been a part of Holness’s mission which provided free health care to 150 residents of Mavis Bank and surrounding communities.

“They were very happy because in the rural areas, most times, people don’t get to see a doctor. We gave them all the services and they were really happy,” Chandolu said as he pointed out that Sunday marked his 183rd participation in a medical camp in Jamaica over many years..

He was grateful to Holness for continuing to invite him to Mavis Bank and other communities within her constituency to do medical camps, which provide crucial services to many who can’t afford it.

“Mrs Holness invited us to be involved in this one. I have done many medical camps for her in her constituency. This is my best camp out of 183 medical camps by Chandolu. Today, one of the biggest problems among the people was hypertension and diabetes. A lot of people have dental issues and the children were anaemic. We provided tonic for them and medication for the people with arthritis. We did eye check-ups and we provided eyeglasses, complete with frame and lens,” said Chandolu.