By Clive Simpson, Freelance WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE ST. JAMES Parish Council is looking to City Hall in Atlanta, Georgia, for help in running the affairs of the Council. Specifically, the Parish Council has identified city management, control of urban traffic and the effective administration of welfare services as key areas.
Secretary/Manager of the Parish Council, Christopher Powell, says discussions have started with Jamaica's Honorary Consul in Atlanta, Vin Martin, for him to initiate talks with the relevant authorities in Montego's Bay sister city.
Mr. Powell's disclosure came last Thursday night as he thanked volunteer doctors, nurses and support team members for the over 3,000 persons, they treated during the ninth annual Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Health Fair, at the St. John's Methodist Conference Centre.
He noted that this year marked the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Atlanta, and said the Parish Council was trying to take the relationship to a new dimension.
He also expressed the commitment of the Parish Council to continue its support of the health fair, noting that the event has been playing a major role in enhancing health care among residents of the parish and beyond.
It has been estimated that over the nine years, the health fairs have cost in excess of $30 million, all of which has been met through corporate and individual sponsorship in Georgia and Jamaica. In addition to giving their professional services free, the doctors and nurses paid their own way, and local volunteers also gave their services free of cost.
Director of the health fair, Dr. Yvonne Smith of Atlanta, said discussions had been held with the Medical Officer of Health for St. James, Dr. Janice Alexander, and as of next year there will be a referral base and pap smears will be added to the services offered.
Over the three days, the team treated 1,177 persons for internal medicine, 358 in gynaecology, 599 children in paediatrics, 592 in ophthalmology and 330 in dentistry.
All medications were given free of cost. Also, persons in need reading and eyeglasses got them freely. In addition, a number of standing fans were presented to the Cornwall Regional Hospital and items of clothing and toys collected by some doctors abroad, were distributed.
