WHITEHOUSE, Westmoreland — The coach of a football team and a mother of two were among those who showed up with students for free medical checks at a health fair in Whitehouse, Westmoreland.

Approximately 160 students benefited from the fair which was conceptualised in 2014 by Lambs River native, medical practitioner Dr Glenville Hall Jr, who saw it as a way to give back.

He says he is a doctor today because he benefited from a scholarship to study medicine in Cuba. It was provided by the People’s National Party (PNP).

Dr Hall and fellow scholarship recipient Dr Nichole Campbell provided medical care during the fair which was organised by councillor candidate and Justice of the Peace Michael Jackson (PNP, Whitehouse Division). A team from the Patriots of Westmoreland Region Six also provided support during the August 13 event.

In addition to medical care, students also received school supplies including bags, books, pencils and other stationery.

“This really helpful fi all who can’t afford it,” said 16-year-old Chadwayne Brown, an eleventh grader who attends Godfrey Stewart High School.

His grandmother, who opted not to provide her name, saw the fair as a way to offset some of the expenses that will come for him to return to school in September.

“It help wi and wi grateful. I brought him to get his medical; a him mother call me and tell me to carry him come. Thanks to Mr Jackson, for a him why it guh through,” said the elderly woman.

Also among those who turned out for the Whitehouse Division Back to School Medical Fair 2022 were 16 members of the Belmont Academy DaCosta Cup team, after their coach seized the opportunity to ensure all members of the team had their health checks done ahead of the next school term.

For Natallie Vanreil, her almost seven-mile journey from Belmont to the fair in Whitehouse was worth it.

“Honestly, this medical fair put on by Mr Jackson is a good one because most parents could not have afforded to go to the private doctor. It saved me about $8,000 because it is two of my children [who did health checks at the fair],” the mother said with a smile.

Parents interviewed said the process to access the services provided was “simple”. They were asked to take along their children’s immunisation card as well as documents related to their schools’ medical requirements. Many students had pre-registered so the only step left to complete was having their height and weight taken before being assigned a number to see a doctor.

The process worked smoothly, thanks to a team of health officials who gave up their weekend to work during the fair. Among them were community health aides from the Whitehouse Health Centre, Janette Taylor and Sylvia Lewis.

— Kimberley Peddie