2,000 to Benefit from Atlanta Health Mission

Some 2,000 residents of St. James and surrounding areas are expected to benefit from free medical care through the Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities Health Mission.

A delegation of 30 medical practitioners, nurses and volunteers will arrive in the island on Saturday, October 5, to participate in the three-day health mission, which is now in its 20th year.

Clinics will be held from October 7 to 9 at the St. John’s Methodist Community Church Action Centre from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

Chairman of the health mission, Vin Martin, informed that in addition to providing treatment, the Atlanta-based team will also distribute medication free of cost to the patients.

Mr. Martin, who was addressing the Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities Foundation’s 13th Annual Fundraising Banquet on Saturday, September 21, at the Atlanta Marriott Century Hotel, told the guests that the mission has served over 47,000 patients in St James and neighbouring parishes since its inception in 1993.

“It is estimated that during that period, approximately US$11,000,000 worth of medical supplies and services have been donated,” he said.

Mr. Martin commended members of the health mission for volunteering their services over the years.  He said that the medical team comprises some of the finest physicians, nurses and volunteers.

During the banquet, four members of the Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Health Mission were recognised for 20 years of service. They are Chairman Vin Martin, and his wife Hazel, Nurse Marjorie Wilson, and Mrs. Pauline Erskine.  Outgoing Mission Director, Dr. Deborah Haynes, was also hailed for her outstanding contribution.

The Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport was also recognised for being the main sponsor of the health mission over the past 15 years.

The Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Foundation is the oldest Caribbean organisation in Atlanta. It was established in 1972 by a reciprocal agreement between the Mayors of Atlanta and Montego Bay.

The yearly health mission is undertaken in association with the St. James Parish Council and the St. James Health Department.  It is one of the major events organised to coincide with the annual commemoration of Montego Bay achieving city status in October 1980.

Money raised from the fundraising banquet and dance will go towards supporting the yearly health mission.  The over 200 patrons were entertained by Jamaican singer Sanchez.