NewzST ELIZABETH, Jamaica β The Unity Fellowship Jamaica Ministries (UFJM) recently held its 10th annual community health fair and back-to-school drive in northern St Elizabeth, with 225 people benefitting from the event. The two-day event put on by the religious social justice organisation at the Roses Valley Primary and Infant School was supported by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund (CHASE). A statement from UFJM said access to healthcare remains a challenge to residents in remote areas.
β[For] many residents in rural communities, accessing healthcare can involve transportation challenges, distance, cost and long waiting periods. The health fair sought to remove some of those barriers by bringing a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals directly into Roses Valley, especially after the destruction of the closest medical facility by Hurricane Melissa in 2025,β it said. Throughout the event, residents had access to a range of free services, including medical screenings and consultations, blood-pressure and blood-sugar checks, body mass index (BMI) assessments, vision screening, dental services, HIV testing and counselling, cancer education, diabetes education and general health and wellness information.
The health fair also placed emphasis on health education, including a dedicated session on kidney and renal disease. Participants learned about kidney health, risk factors, warning signs, prevention and the importance of regular health checks. Volunteers for the August 27 and 28 event included healthcare professionals from the United States of America and locals, namely doctors, dentists, dental hygienists and nurses.
Children also benefitted from barbering and cosmetology services, including haircuts and hairstyling ahead of the new academic year. UFJM Directors Reverend Nevin Powell and Reverend Clarence Edwards commended every healthcare professional, volunteer, staff member, sponsor, donor, partner and community member who contributed to the initiative.
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