Health Mission Arrives in Mo-Bay October 8

A team of 40 medical practitioners, nurses and other volunteers will arrive in Montego Bay on Sunday, October 8, to conduct the 13th annual Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Committee health mission to that city.
The delegation will be led by Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta and Chairman of the Atlanta branch of the Committee, Vin Martin, and Dr. Karyn Cumberbatch, the mission’s Health Director.
They are expected to be met on arrival at the Donald Sangster International Airport by members of the local committee, headed by its Chairperson, Metty Scarlett-Jones.
According to Mr. Martin, the mission will last from Monday, October 9 to Wednesday, October 11 at the St. John’s Methodist Church Hall in Montego Bay. He noted that most of the medicines to be donated to the patients would be purchased from pharmaceutical companies in Jamaica, and that a quantity would be shipped in by the committee in advance of the arrival of the medical team.
Dr. Cumberbatch has said that the health team would consist of 15 doctors in four disciplines, three dentists, eight nurses, one pharmacist, and various administrative and information technology (IT) personnel.
Giving an overview at the sixth annual health mission ball on September 23, at the Marriott Hotel in Atlanta, Dr. Cumberbatch outlined that over the past 12 years, more that 33,000 patients in St. James were seen. The medical mission, she said, was important to the citizens of Montego Bay, as each year they look forward to the arrival of the health team.
She pointed out that this year the medical team would join hands with the Jamaica Drugs for the Elderly Programme (JADEP) in registering eligible participants. This programme, she said, made prescription medications available to seniors with chronic conditions for a nominal charge.
In a message commemorating the Committee’s 13th mission to Montego Bay, Atlanta’s Mayor, Shirley Franklin said: “I congratulate the Health and Human Services Committee for the wide recognition it has gained through the commitment of its health care professionals, who give selflessly to address the health care needs of the residents of Montego Bay”. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Noel Donaldson’s message read: “I wish to extend my deepest appreciation to the people of Atlanta for the support and contribution you have given to us over the years”.The visiting practitioners will be joined in Montego Bay by members of the Montego Committee, several local physicians, nurses and scores of non-medical volunteers.
The mission is conducted under the auspices of the St. James Parish Council, and is facilitated by the St. James Health Department, and is one of the major events that is staged to coincide with Montego Bay’s celebration of its city status.
Mr. Martin commended the officers and members of St. John’s Methodist Church for allowing them to use the hall over the past 11 years.
Health Minister, Horace Dalley will pay a visit to the Health Mission on Wednesday, October 11.
Over 300 patrons attended the annual Health Mission Ball which featured one of Jamaica’s outstanding performers, Ken Booth.
Claire McLeveighn, Director of External Affairs and International Relations in the office of the Mayor of Atlanta was recognized for her outstanding contribution to the Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Committee.