SMA hosts inaugural health and wellness fair in downtown Kingston

Bringing the theme ‘Living in Harmony’ to life, the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) hosted its inaugural Health and Wellness Fair on December 13 at Breezy Castle in downtown Kingston.

More than 200 residents from the inner-city community benefited from the initiative, which provided vital health and wellness services and marked a significant milestone in the SMA’s commitment to community outreach.

Dr Maria Myers-Hamilton, managing director of the SMA, described the event as a meaningful step towards making a positive impact.

“This inaugural Health and Wellness Fair reflects our commitment to creating meaningful change in our communities. By promoting health, harmony, and access to essential services, we’ve taken an important step towards fostering unity and well-being in downtown Kingston,” she stated.

Attendees accessed a wide range of services facilitated by the event’s esteemed partners. Sagicor conducted comprehensive health screenings, including checks for vision, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Bellevue Hospital offered mental health consultations, while the Ashe Company Limited provided STI testing, focusing on raising HIV/AIDS awareness through its TABS programme. Government agencies also contributed to the initiative, with PATH delivering additional programme support and the Early Childhood Commission hosting an engaging reading corner for children. Participants also received care packages sponsored by Caribbean Dreams, along with refreshments provided by PEPSI.

Myers-Hamilton also expressed gratitude to the event’s sponsors, emphasising their role in making the fair a reality.

“This event would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each partner who contributed to the success of this initiative and helped us bring the community together in harmony and health,” she said.

The initiative was made possible through the sponsorship of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Royale Computers, Toyota Jamaica, Early Childhood Commission, PATH, Caribbean Dreams, JN Bank, Bellevue Hospital, Ashe Company Limited, Modern Power Cooling & Technology Ltd, and Manpower & Maintenance Services Ltd Group. Additionally, the event was broadcast live by Roots FM.

The SMA said it was looking forward to building on the success of this year’s fair, with plans to make it an annual tradition and expand its impact to serve even more individuals in need.