Wed | Dec 11, 2024

Beyond Boundary’s medical fair aids Salt Spring community

Published:Saturday | April 6, 2024 | 12:07 AMKeisha Hill/ Senior Gleaner Writer
From left: Dr Konrad Kirlew, Dr Margaret Sinclair, and Dr Welsford Sinclair pictured during the Beyond Boundary Medical Fair held in Salt Spring, Montego Bay in 2023. This year, over 80 individuals received healthcare and supplies during the two-day event
From left: Dr Konrad Kirlew, Dr Margaret Sinclair, and Dr Welsford Sinclair pictured during the Beyond Boundary Medical Fair held in Salt Spring, Montego Bay in 2023. This year, over 80 individuals received healthcare and supplies during the two-day event held on March 23rd to 24th in the same community.

Salt Spring, a community nestled in Montego Bay, St James, was recently the recipient of an outreach medical fair orchestrated by Beyond Boundary. More than 80 individuals availed themselves of medical services and received gift bags from the organisation, which included blood pressure monitors.

“It was humbling and gratifying to hear them acknowledge and appreciate their need of this service. The residents were excited to see us, as well as the medical personnel, said Dr Margaret Sinclair, one of the founders of Beyond Boundary.

The Beyond Boundary Medical Fair services included blood sugar and blood pressure screening, and regular check-ups. “We worked diligently to secure ophthalmologists, gynaecologist, urologist, and other specialists. However, certain promises were not realised. In 2025, we hope we will have a complement of healthcare professionals, such as general practitioners, nurses, and specialists to meet the needs of the people it will serve,” Sinclair told GoodHeart.

Sinclair shared that the Beyond Boundary team was happy that it provided services that could benefit members of the community. “The eight-member team of nurses and doctors focused on serving individuals of the community and were in sync accomplishing that objective,” she said.

Pauline Taylor-Baugh, one of the co-founders of the Beyond Boundary team, said the team’s objectives were met in several ways.

“We made a positive impact, both spiritually and physically. Spiritually, we were able to offer evangelistic tools to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Physically, people’s lives were changed as they received free medical check-up, counselling, education and referrals for further free or reduced special testing or exams,” Taylor-Baugh said.

“Our objective is to help people lead healthy lives. In addition, each patient was given a care package with several items, including a blood pressure monitor, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, pain relievers, and vitamins, among other things,” she added.

For their next project, Taylor-Baugh said they hope to do more extensive advertising to gain a larger attendance. “We hope to offer and include even more medical specialities, such as paediatrics and dental. We foresee an even brighter future, as we plan to reach into more areas each year.”

Dr Heather Jones-Fray, who has been a general practitioner for over 30 years, has been instrumental in assisting the Beyond Boundary team in Jamaica. For her, it’s important to assist others in need. “I support the Beyond Boundary Medical Fair as I believe that Dr Sinclair and her team genuinely desire to assist the people of Salt Spring. This community needs assistance in many areas. As a Christian, I am doing what the Lord requires of me, that is, to bring relief to people’s suffering,” Jones-Fray said.

To support Beyond Boundary’s initiatives, you may contact them via email at beyondboundarynfp@gmail.com.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com