Charity organisations provide free healthcare

More than 700 people who are usually unable to afford regular healthcare services were assisted recently at Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica and the Lions Club of New Kingston's 10th annual health fair.

The health fair, which was held on the grounds of the Our Lady of the Poor Clinic at St Joseph's Hospital, provided free healthcare for many needy people in Kingston and St Andrew. Services offered included blood pressure, blood sugar and HIV tests, dental exams, vision and hearing screening, and general medical check-ups. Attendees also benefited from live demonstrations about the importance of good nutritional practices.

The event has been running for over 10 years, but the partnership with the Lions Club of New Kingston started eight years ago in 2010.

"There is a sense of pride and satisfaction when you are able to help those in need, and there is so much need," said Lions Club of New Kingston president, Karoline Smith.

She continued, "At Lions Club, we say that people may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

She noted that everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and that everyone also has the ability to help in some way or another.

Director of recipient services at FFP Jamaica, Susan Moore, said "Some [beneficiaries] have shared that they can better help their families because they are no longer distressed. This is what drives us."