The annual Jamaica Wellness Tour made its first stop for the 2013-2014 calendar year last Saturday at the Jamaica Rifle Association, providing medical services to students and the elderly from the surrounding communities of Mountain View.

The tour, which was launched over seven years ago, is a project of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains in collaboration with the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ). The first stop for the year saw both organisations partnering with the Jamaica Rifle Association (JRA), the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), and the Foundation for International Self-Help. The event was coordinated by Dr Perceval Bahado-Singh, secretary of the JRA, as part of the association's outreach programme to promote top-quality health care for students.

Free medical check-up

More than 200 children and some elderly people were seen by doctors and nurses from the SERHA comprehensive clinic, which provided free medical check-ups. The students received back-to-school medicals, eye screening, immunisation, and medication. The students also received school supplies, along with food items, that were donated by several corporate companies.

The wellness tour received support from Marine Haulage Services Limited, which provided transportation for the SAJ's mobile clinic. Refreshments were provided by Lasco, HD Hopwood, Jamaica Beverages, International Ingredients, Dairy Industries, SY Foods, Dr Lushus, Versachem, National Bakery, and SOS Foods.