A Good Bill of Health

With the high cost of private medical services scores of residents in western Jamaica took advantage of the free health fair at the Montego Bay Civic Centre that was organized by the Western Medical Association (WMA).

Operating under the theme “The Medical Check up, The Road Map to Good Health” president of WMA, Dr. Garfield Badal the health fair was done in collaboration with the St. James Public Health Department in a bid to heighten the public’s awareness of various diseases and how to practice preventative measures and treatment to illnesses.

“The president of the Medical Association of Jamaica thought that impact of the doctors in the communities is some what negative and this was one way of re-ensuring the positiveness that medicine once embraced,” Dr. Badal revealed.

He further revealed that it is important for the general public to embrace the practice of an annual doctor’s visit especially for children and senior citizen and how to make the most of such visits. Yearly medical visits, Dr. Badal argued “can be beneficial to patients in a number of ways as improving general medical knowledge and being aware of simple dietary measures can go a far way in early detection of symptoms and complications of common illnesses”. He added that a healthy workforce will improve productivity and create better livelihoods for all.

One participant in the health fair, Maaeish Holness welcomed the initiative noting that it will prove to be beneficial to the persons who came for the medical services.

“It is not often that you see something like this in Montego Bay where you have the opportunity to get a variety of free medical service under one roof. I endorse this effort by organizers as many of us don’t have the time to go to the doctor or clinic to get a medical check up and to have this here today is really something that myself and others appreciate,” a proactive Holness explained.

Patrons were able to receive HIV testing, counseling, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, diabetic foot care, eye testing, medical check up and advice at no cost.