Rotarians bring health fair Maverley residents ahead of new school year

Close to 170 residents of Maverley and surrounding communities were able to access a range of healthcare services without having to spend hours waiting at a health centre, as the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights hosted its 15th annual Maverley Health Fair recently.

Held at the Maverley Primary and Infant School, the health fair brought together medical, dental and vision services, allowing children preparing for the new school year to receive medical examinations, dental screening and cleaning, and vision screening under one roof.

Adults also had access to doctors for blood pressure and blood sugar checks, as well as HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and education provided by the Centre for HIV/AIDS Research and Education Services.

The Lions Club of St Andrew provided vision screening as part of its partnership with the Rotary Club, while a local mission of FLOSS International, led by Dr Ajani Blake, provided dental services for the sixth consecutive year.

For residents, the convenience of having several essential services available in their community was among the major benefits.

Sherricka Johnson, whose children attend Maverley Primary and Infant School, chaperoned younger cousins at the health fair and praised the quality of the services.

“The service for medicals went smooth,” Johnson said.

“Dental, there was a little hiccup there, but there wasn’t nothing too much that couldn’t be handled.

“Overall, the service was great. The team was great- well ‘mannerable’- they were polite and everyone greet you with a smile,” she added.

Johnson said the health fair was particularly valuable for working residents who might otherwise struggle to find the time to visit a health centre.

“Most of the people that is here work, so they don’t get the time to visit the health centre to do service,” she explained.

Residents of Maverley typically access healthcare services at the Drewsland Health Centre in the neighbouring community, with which Maverley has had a historical conflict, or the Duhaney Park Health Centre, which is farther away.

Johnson said the advance notice about the health fair allowed many residents to plan to attend.

“So, you (the Rotary Club) coming here and the residents were hearing the announcements from a month ago that you’re coming, many planned definitely to be here. Many of the parents I know took the time out from work to be here and it benefit the school a lot because many of the students I know who attend the school, I see here today,” she noted.

Rosalee Johnson of Waltham Park, whose children also attend the school, said the health fair spared her the frustration of taking them to a health centre.

Her children received their medical examinations and had their eyes and vision screened by the Lions volunteers.

“Health centre now, you’d have to join a line and wait and them tell you say you never in this space… . It would take a longer time and be frustrating,” she said.

Remove barriers to healthcare

Junior Buchanan, president of the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights, said the initiative was designed to remove some of the practical barriers that prevent families from accessing essential healthcare.

“The value of this health fair is that we bring these services directly to the community and make it easier for families to get the care they need. For parents, particularly those who are working, being able to have their children seen by a doctor, dentist and have their vision tested in one place can make a significant difference. After 15 stagings, we continue to see the importance of this initiative, and we are very pleased that so many children and adults were able to benefit this year.”

Buchanan expressed gratitude to the sponsors, partners and volunteers who helped to make the health fair possible.

CARI-MED provided supplies for the medical and dental teams, along with packages containing Colgate toothbrushes, mouthwash and toothpaste for the children. Benjamins also provided supplies for the doctors and dentists, while LASCO supplied beverages and World Foods provided snacks for the children.

Dwayne Smith, member of parliament for St Andrew Northwestern, in whose constituency Maverley lies, assisted by providing lunch for the volunteers.

Buchanan also thanked the Lions Club of St Andrew for its support and the Rotaract Club of St Andrew, which provided volunteers and school supplies for the children.

Community volunteers and friends of the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights also supported the initiative, with approximately 35 volunteers helping to deliver the services.

Now in its 15th year, the health fair continues to provide families with an opportunity to address their healthcare needs as they prepare for the new school year, while bringing healthcare professionals, service organisations, volunteers and corporate partners together to serve the Maverley community.