JUST OVER 2,000 residents of several communities in St. Ann are expected to benefit from free medical care this year, as a "roving health clinic" will be visiting those areas to provide the service.
The clinics are being organised by Sandals Dunn's River Golf Resort and Spa in collaboration with the St. Ann Health Department.
According to Public Relations Manager for Sandals Dunn's River, Lindsay Isaacs, the Resort has been spearheading a drive to encourage healthier lifestyles among residents in "deep rural areas", by visiting one community each month.
She said the hotel had been receiving support from nine doctors and other health professionals "who want to give something back to the community".
Residents in communities visited have benefited from blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and persons 29 years and under are given vaccines for mumps, measles and rubella, poliom-yelitis and diphtheria, among other diseases.
The hotel has also been successful in obtaining pharmaceutical items, educational toys and clothing for distribution in the communities.
Mrs. Isaacs said greater effort would be made this year to encourage specialists, including ophthalmologists, dermatologists and dental surgeons to join the roving health clinic team.
Workshops are to be held at each clinic to educate residents on a range of issues, such as domestic violence, nutrition and parenting, among others.
Earlier this month, a clinic was held at Priory Primary School and some 200 adults and children were given medical checks and immunised.
A team of doctors and Public Health Nurses will visit the community of Douglas Castle on March 15 and Madras, on April 19.
