Wellness Tour cares for the elderly and children

Jamaica Gleaner Online
Wellness Tour cares for the elderly and children
Published: Tuesday June 23, 2009
Elderly patients listen attentively during the launch of the Wellness Tour, held at Swallowfield Chapel June 2-6.
The elderly and children from the Swallowfield community between June 2 and 6 received health care during the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), Rotary and Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains (RCLP) 'Wellness Tour 2009' held at the Swallowfield Chapel.
A partnership between the SAJ, the Rotary and Rotaract clubs as well as Swallowfield Chapel, the four-day tour provided screening for vision, cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, Pap smears and breast examinations as well as general medical check-ups. A team of seven doctors, including two ophthalmologists, nurses and personnel from the Diabetes Association of Jamaica provided medical care.
The first three days of the clinic were dedicated to the care of the elderly, who received free prescription medication, while Saturday was dedicated entirely to children of the community.
Great importance
Speaking at the launch, Diana Reynolds, human resource and development manager of the SAJ, noted that wellness was of great importance to the association. The desire to ensure the medical needs of individuals in our neighbouring Greenwich Town community led the SAJ to purchase this mobile clinic. The idea of the Wellness Tour, she noted, was the brainchild of the SAJ's general manager, Trevor Riley.
"We are proud to say that the clinic has grown beyond the Greenwich Town community and has spread its wings to communities across Jamaica, through its partnership with the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains and the churches and schools which host the tour," Reynolds said.
She pointed out that the SAJ's focus on wellness was also staff oriented, noting that the association recently launched a staff wellness programme to help employees create a healthier lifestyle.
"We implore you, in this challenging economic climate, to focus on the health and well-being of your staff members, so they can be in the best of health to perform their respective duties," Reynolds said.
Michael Bernard, president of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, said that the Wellness Tour assists the club in fulfilling its mandate of decreasing the child mortality rate. "It is a good fit that the Rotary Club would partner with the SAJ and the Swallowfield Chapel to extend health care and fellowship to the members of the community," Bernard said.
Pastor David Henry of the Swallowfield Chapel thanked the volunteers who came out to serve unselfishly. "As disciples of Christ, we at Swallowfield have been commissioned not only to spread the gospel but also to care for the sick and those in need," Henry said.
In its fourth year, the Wellness Tour has provided medical care to more than 3,000 children and adults in communities across the island. The aim of the tour is to provide medical screening facilities to individuals who face challenges accessing these services. Partners for the tour include the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, Foundation for International Self-Help, SecuriPro, Atlas Security, Maritime and Transport Limited and Marine Haulage.
Diana Reynolds, human resource and development manager of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, in conversation with Pastor David Henry (centre) of Swallowfield Chapel and Michael Bernard, president of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, after the opening of the Wellness Tour at the chapel recently. Copyright Jamaica-Gleaner.com
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