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November 6, 2009
Over 100 get Medical Treatment at Jamalco Health Fair
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One Hundred and Fourteen (114) persons were treated for a variety of health related complaints at a Jamalco sponsored community health fair held in Gravel Hill, Clarendon on Friday, October 30.
The health fair was organized by the bauxite/alumina company as part of its on-going community outreach programme in keeping with its focus on Environmental Health and Safety, and is an extension of the company’s Wellness Programme for its workforce.
The team from Jamalco’s Medical department, including Dr. Leroy Hayman, Nurse Practitioner Claudette Walters-Simpson, three Nurses and an Emergency Medical Technician, carried out blood pressure checks, vision tests, and random blood sugar screening, cholesterol tests, as well as weight, height and waist/hip ratio measurements.
Nurse Walters-Simpson said that members of the community had assisted the team “by pre-registered clients for the clinic which greatly assisted in the smooth flow of clients through the various areas of testing,” and added that “Hypertension, Diabetes and elevated Cholesterol levels where the main health issues identified.”
She explained that of the persons seen forty seven (47) were referred to the Lions Club Sight Clinic, one to an ophthalmologist, seven (7) to private doctors, one (1) to hospital and two (2) to community clinics. Twenty two (22) patients also received prescriptions.
The health fair also included a wellness exposition that provided health related information and products from several companies and organizations.
Jamalco’s Community Relations Officer Phillip Biggs, who organized the event, noted that the provision of these services was designed to give information on critical health and family issues to residents who sometimes find it challenging to readily access information.
Representatives from the Registrar General’s Department offered information regarding registration of births and deaths; the Clarendon Health Department offered counseling on HIV/AIDS and the H1N1 virus; the Clarendon 4H Club offered nutritional counseling while LASCO Limited provided samples of their food products. Tait’s Pharmacy in May Pen also offered discounts on prescriptions.
The residents including a number of senior citizens commended the company for bringing the service to their community, pointing out that the nearest health centre was located many miles away from them.
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