Sun | Oct 6, 2024

US-based medical mission heads to Jamaica

Published:Tuesday | July 9, 2024 | 12:08 AM
President of the New Jersey-based Help Jamaica Medical Mission, Dr Robert Clarke, shares a light moment with former President of the New York-based Jamaica Nurses Group Claudette Powell (left) and Communication Director of Help Jamaica Medical Mission Cel
Derrick Scott
President of the New Jersey-based Help Jamaica Medical Mission, Dr Robert Clarke, shares a light moment with former President of the New York-based Jamaica Nurses Group Claudette Powell (left) and Communication Director of Help Jamaica Medical Mission Celia Ogilvie at the organisation’s annual Black and White Elegant Boat Cruise aboard the ‘Cornucopia Majesty’ in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on June 29.

Washington, DC:

The New Jersey-based Help Jamaica Medical Mission is scheduled to visit Jamaica on its annual run from September 4 to 16.

During the visit, residents across six parishes will receive free screening for heart disease, cancer, prostate disease, mental health issues, diabetes and sexually transmitted infections, thanks to the volunteer corps of doctors and nurses.

The healthcare specialists from the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut tri-state area will also be screening residents of Kingston, St Thomas, St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester and Westmoreland for sickle cell and a range of other conditions.

“We have been saving lives, making people see again and become healthier because of our yearly medical mission to Jamaica,”explained Help Jamaica Medical Mission President Dr Robert Clarke.

Dr Clarke gave an overview at his non-profit organisation’s annual ‘Black and White Elegant Boat Cruise’, aboard the Cornucopia Majesty in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on June 29.

He said that altogether, since 2010 when his team conducted its inaugural mission to the island, the volunteers have served some 562,000 patients .

He offered that on its latest mission last year, the team of medical practitioners saw over 4,500 patients and donated medical supplies valued at US$155,000.

According to Dr Clarke, the mission has been dedicated to providing free, high-quality healthcare services to those in desperate need, having served thousands of Jamaicans over the years. The organisation has spent some US$6 million to deliver medical services to the underserved across the island. He said the recent boat ride fundraiser had brought in just over US$70,000, which will go towards the medical mission to Jamaica in September.