NHF Stages Health Fair in Portland

The National Health Fund (NHF) kicked off its island wide health fairs in Portland on Saturday (Feb.18), aimed at sensitising Jamaicans about the importance of maintaining good health and familiarising them with the benefits under the fund.
The event, held at the Old Port Antonio Marina, saw scores of residents receiving free heart, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar tests; checks for breast and cervical cancers; and screening for eye problems.
Among the organizations conducting the tests were the Diabetic Association of Jamaica, the Jamaica Cancer Society, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and Blue Cross of Jamaica.
Representatives of the NHF were also on hand to accept applications for health cards, and enrol persons 60 years-old and over, for the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme.
Rosemarie Lee, Public Information Officer for the NHF, told JIS News that the organization was happy to stage the fair and pleased with the response of the people of Portland to the event.
She informed that illnesses detected by the tests were fully discussed with the affected persons, who were advised about the importance of consulting their doctors immediately in order to have the condition properly treated.
According to Mrs. Lee, the NHF has planned seven major health fairs at venues across the island, in addition to a series of “community days” targeted at residents in remote areas, who could not attend the fairs.