Hundreds flood Adventist health expo in MoBay
Published:Monday | February 4, 2019 | 12:00 AM
More than 270 people were beneficiaries of a free health expo organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in western Jamaica last Saturday. The programme, a part of the church’s Mission Project 2019 initiative, was held in Sam Sharpe Square and attracted hundreds of church and community members.
“What a joy and a great privilege to be here at this expo,” said Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the World Church of Seventh-day Adventists, who is on an 11-day visit to Jamaica. “We are seeing what God is doing through dedicated Adventist physicians and health professions who have given their time today in service to humanity. They are willing to let Jesus use them just as He touched the lives of people.”
Focus on welLness
Wilson, who is here with other Adventist leaders from across the world, challenged the gathering to focus on nutritional health and emphasised holistic wellness.
Various health services were available at the expo, including general screening/check-ups (blood, hypertension and cholesterol); Pap smears; prostate, dental, foot-care and mental-health tests, and paediatric and gynaecological consultation.
“West Jamaica is proud of the commitment and unquestionable dedication of the members of the medical professionals who hold membership in our Church,” said Glen Samuels, president of the Seventh-day Adventists Church in western Jamaica.
“Not only do they give of their time voluntarily in alleviating the pain and suffering of citizens of western Jamaica without regards to church membership, but they also provide financial resources to ensure the basic needs of individuals for education and food on a normal, regular and daily basis. We thank God for them.”
Delores Jones, a resident of the Tucker community in St James, was happy for the intervention.
“it was great! I went to look about my feet, which are swollen from bad blood circulation, and I was able to get them massaged from the foot-care section and then see the doctor, who not only gave me a prescription, but advised me on what I should eat to prevent the problem,” explained Jones.
“I know that God is blessing this expo in an incredible way as people are pointed to the Master Physician and ultimately to accepting Him as their personal saviour. What a joy to see God’s people at work in the name of Christ,” Wilson added.
Mission Project 2019, which started in October 2018, has so far completed 1,127 health outreach projects and expos through the 750 church congregations across the island and its institutions of Northern Caribbean University and Andrews Memorial Hospital.
The Church has also partnered with the Ministry of Health through its Jamaica Moves and Adopt-A-Clinic programmes.