Old Harbour and Friends Association delivers holistic support to hundreds

Held recently, the annual outreach brought together volunteer doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, along with representatives from several public agencies, to provide free medical services, vaccinations, health screenings, back-to-school medicals and educational support to residents ahead of the new school year.

Among those in attendance were Custos of St. Catherine, Hon. Icylin Golding, and Member of Parliament for South East St. Catherine, Dr. Kurt Waul, who joined organisers and volunteers in supporting the community initiative.

OHFA President Lavern Robinson said the outreach has become one of the association's signature projects as members continue to invest in the wellbeing of residents.

“This year we differed a little bit,” Robinson explained. “We normally give scholarships and grants, but after last year we realised there was a greater need for students who require textbooks, uniforms, school shoes and other back-to-school necessities.”

She said the association has expanded its assistance to include laptops, school fees, transportation support and other educational needs, thanks to contributions from OHFA members living in New York, Florida and other overseas locations.

“We came up with a with a program called Adopt a Child program, and by doing this, we were able to accomplish quite a lot more-not more than the scholarships and the grants that we would give. We can now assist many more students than before. The need is great, and we are happy that we can fill those needs for many students and parents,” Robinson said.

Chairman of the association's public relations committee, Learoy Thompson, said OHFA remains committed to improving education and healthcare in Old Harbour.

“Our focus has always been education and healthcare,” Thompson said. “We thank our members and everyone who has helped us to make these programmes possible. We encourage others to come on board because helping one child or one family can make a significant difference. We are happy to be able to reach our people in Old Harbour, predominantly, and whereas we'd like to reach out to the other areas, Old Harbour basically is our area, and we start here first.”

Founding member Wilmore Wright, who travelled from New York, expressed appreciation for the support the association continues to receive from the community.

“It is a good feeling to know that what we are doing is appreciated by the people of Old Harbour,” said Wright.

Medical doctor and former OHFA scholarship recipient Dr. Lavinea Smith, who now chairs the association's Jamaica Committee, said this year's outreach provided much more than routine health checks.

“We're doing general wellness checks for adults and students, back-to-school medicals and vaccinations,” she said.

She noted that nurses from the Old Harbour Health Centre administered childhood vaccines, while representatives from the National Health Fund conducted blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and haemoglobin screenings.

The outreach also included assistance from the Office of the Public Defender, while P.A. Benjamin donated pharmaceutical supplies and Jamaica Broilers contributed to the day's lunch.

OHFA Secretary Kellesha Morris-Adams described the public response as encouraging.

“Persons look forward to this every year,” she said. “The back-to-school medicals had a very good take-up, but we're also seeing adults and senior citizens taking advantage of the services. With more volunteers on board this year, persons were able to move through the different stations much more quickly.”

Working with the National Health Fund, nurse Althea Brown encouraged residents to know their health status through regular screenings.

“We're checking body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and haemoglobin levels,” she said. “Knowing your numbers is important, and we're encouraging more persons to come out and get tested.”

Additionally, public health nurse Caroline Legister Williams of the Old Harbour Health Centre said immunization services were also provided, including DT, HPV, OPV and MMR vaccines.

Among those who benefited was Patrick Street resident Clifford Wright, who praised the initiative after receiving a medical consultation.

“The doctor checked my blood pressure and my vitals,” Wright said. “Everything was okay, and he asked me to visit his office in Spanish Town for a follow-up. It was good.”

Now an annual fixture on the community calendar, the outreach continues to bring together overseas members, local volunteers and healthcare professionals in an effort to improve access to medical care and educational support for residents of Old Harbour.