Adventists launch first mobile medical and dental clinic

The Braeton Seventh-day Adventist Church is now prepared to take basic medical and dental care to the doorsteps of residents in the communities surrounding the church with the creation of the first Adventist-owned mobile medical and dental clinic to be launched in Jamaica.

The church has been helping more than 600 persons through its annual community back-to-school health fair since 2003 and is hoping that with the mobile clinic, the community can be impacted greater.

Elder Randall Williams, health ministries leader of the Braeton Adventist Church, said: "The idea of the mobile clinic was born when the church recognised that there were some persons who were unable to attend the clinic at the church because of financial challenges. The idea was shared with the congregation in 2013, and after two years of planning, working, and fundraising, the mobile clinic is now a reality."

A 20-foot container that sits on a 23-foot flat-bed truck is home to the clinic. It has its own electrical generating and water systems. The clinic contains three offices: two for basic medical services and one for dental.

Guest speaker Dr Patric Rutherford, CEO of the Adventist-owned Andrews Memorial Hospital, commending the effort of the church to take health to the community, said: "You have done something great, and I look forward to partnering with you to show the love of Jesus to the community."

Fitz Jackson, member of parliament for South St Catherine, who was present at the launch, and who brought greetings, said: "What your church has been doing in the area of health-service provision is most welcome by me and the Government, because what the Government does is not enough and will not be enough ... what you do assists in taking the burden off public hospitals."

Pastor Roy Dennis, health ministries director of Central Jamaica Conference, also commended the church for its care to the community and for doing what Jesus would have done.

"I would like to commend the Braeton church for this monumental initiative ... and for meeting these practical needs of individuals within your community. This is a tremendous ministry, the ministry of Jesus Christ. And I want to thank you for the work that you are doing," Dennis said.

The launch was held on November 14 on the grounds of the Braeton church before scores of members and community residents.