Mobay’s Mayor Welcomes Atlanta’s Health Support

MONTEGO BAY — Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Parish Council, Councillor Charles Sinclair, has commended overseas and local health personnel and volunteers of the Montego Bay/Atlanta Sister Cities Health Mission for the “tremendous’ sacrifices which have made the 18th health mission to Montego Bay a reality.

Addressing Jamaica's Honorary Consul in Atlanta, Hon. Vin Martin, members of the team of health professionals and volunteers, as well as approximately 1400 patients, at an health fair at the St John's Methodist Church Hall, Montego Bay, Monday (October 10), Mayor Sinclair said that the Council and the City of Montego Bay owe them "debt of gratitude".

The Mayor extended a special welcome to Mr. Martin, who is also Chairman of the Atlanta branch of the Sister Cities Committee, and his wife, as well as Dr. Deborah Haynes, the mission’s Health Director, and the team of "valuable and caring health practitioners". He also thanked local physicians, nurses and non-medical volunteers “who continue to participate in making the health mission sustainable and successful”.

Councilor Sinclair observed that the medical services offered to citizens of western Jamaica and beyond were free of cost, and also emphasized that they were of top quality.

"This mission complements the services provided at the many public hospitals, and conforms with the policy of the Government of Jamaica, which offers free health care to its citizens at the various health facilities throughout Jamaica,” he added.                                                         

He also stated that the mission confirmed that, throughout the Diaspora, the spirit of love, care, volunteerism and patriotism still existed and that there is hope for all.

He noted that members of the mission and the Sister Cities Committees would be serving clients at both the Refuge of Hope Night Shelter at Albion and at the SOS Children’s village in Rose Hall, as well.

"This outreach will add significantly to the mission that has, over the past 17 years, served the health needs of over 40,000 persons and provided in excess of $60 million in medical supplies and services," he stated.

In his address, Mr. Martin said it was his pleasure to keep giving to Jamaica, and western Jamaica in particular through the mission. He assured that there were enough medical supplies for everyone for the three days (October 10-12) of the mission.

"It’s been truly a pleasure working towards getting this mission on track, knowing fully well that we have the support of our local politicians. I want to also say thanks to the Ministry of Health for allowing us to bring in our supplies,” Mr. Martin said.

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter