PM Hails Help Jamaica Medical Mission
By: , November 14, 2013The Key Point:
The Facts
- The value of this partnership extends well beyond delivering specific service.
- The Prime Minister expressed her hope that Help JAMM and its supporters “would continue to demonstrate altruism".
The Full Story
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has lauded the New Jersey-based Help Jamaica Medical Mission (Help JAMM) for its ongoing effort to provide quality health care services to communities in Jamaica.
In a message presented at the organisation’s 3rd annual black tie and awards ceremony held recently, at the Richfield Regency in Verona, New Jersey, the Prime Minister saluted “this sterling effort in triumphantly bringing together medical practitioners of all disciplines in contact with communities on the island.”
She described Help JAMM as a “true friend and valuable partner that is involved in our social development activities for the benefit of the people of Jamaica”.
The value of this partnership, she said, extends well beyond delivering specific service and “speaks more to the lasting relationships developed among people, who share a caring compassion for those who are less fortunate.”
The Prime Minister expressed her hope that Help JAMM and its supporters “would continue to demonstrate altruism and this charitable spirit for many years to come.”
Just over 400 persons attended the annual fundraising banquet, which helps to fund the organisation’s health missions to Jamaica. Over the past three years, the Help JAMM medical missions have benefited over 6,000 persons, with medical supplies at over US$340,000, including over 2,000 pairs of eye-glasses, distributed to needy individuals.
Among those in attendance were Jamaica’s Consul General in New York, Herman Lamont, who was the keynote speaker; and President of the National Association of Jamaica and Supportive Organization (NAJASO), Rick Nugent.
The association presented three awards: the Community Award went to the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Newark, Keith Kinard; the Leadership Award was presented to Chief Medical Officer for the East Orange (New Jersey) General Hospital, Dr. Valentine Burroughs; and the Humanitarian Award to President of the Jamaican-American Bar Association North East Chapter, Attorney Joan Pinnock.