MONTEGO BAY, St. James:

A team of 40 medical practitioners arrived in Montego Bay, on Sunday, to conduct the 13th annual Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Committee health mission to that city. The team is led by Jamaica's Honorary Consul to Atlanta and chairman of the Atlanta branch of the committee, Vin Martin, and Dr. Karyn Cumberbatch, the mission's health director.

The mission will run from Monday, October 9, to Wednesday, October 11, at the St. John's Methodist Church Hall, in Montego Bay.

Health team

Dr. Cumberbatch has said that the health team would consist of 15 doctors in four disciplines, three dentists, eight nurses, one pharmacist, and various administrative and information technology (IT) personnel.

"I congratulate the Health and Human Services Committee for the wide recognition it has gained through the commitment of its health care professional, who give selflessly to address the health care needs of the residents of Montego Bay," Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin, said in a message commemorating the committee's 13th mission.

The visiting practitioners will be joined by members of the Montego Bay Committee inclusive of several local physicians, nurses and non-medical volunteers.

According to Mr. Martin, most of the medicines to be donated to the patients would be purchased from pharmaceutical companies in Jamaica, and that a quantity was shipped in by the committee in advance.

Over the past 12 years, more that 33,000 patients in St. James have been examined under the medical mission.

"I wish to extend my deepest appreciation to the people of Atlanta for the support and contribution you have given us over the years," commented Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Noel Donaldson.