500-plus residents benefit from Bounty Hall Health Fair
Published:Tuesday | August 13, 2024 | 12:10 AMLeon Jackson/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
More than 520 persons, ranging in ages from two years old to 92 years old, got a day to remember last Saturday when they were the recipients of healthcare and other benefits at the sixth staging of the annual Global Health Fair in Bounty Hall, Trelawny.
The fair is the brainchild of Carleen Coates-Russell, a Jamaican psychiatrist, who is based at the University of Missouri, in the United States, and who is committed to doing all she can for the community.
“I have close family ties in Bounty Hall. My father was always giving to the people there, so I feel the need to continue his legacy of giving. Hence the foundation’s birth became a reality,” said Russell, who established Global Health Foundation to carry out her act of kindness.
Realising that the level of need in Bounty Hall was beyond her individual capacity, Russell has managed to sell the idea to other health professionals, who have joined her in offering their services to boost her ambitious initiative.
“They came on board with ideas, and what you see here today is a combination of my funds plus their contributions,” said Russell as she went about serving the residents on Saturday, offering mental-health counselling, medical back-to-school checks, and HIV tests, among other things.
In addition to the health checks, there were also distributions of wheelchairs, blood pressure machines, books, and school bags for primary and high-school students.
Andrea Headley, a nurse aid at Bounty Hall Clinic, was a recipient of one of the blood pressure machines for the clinic, and she was mightily pleased.
“This donation is highly appreciated. It will improve the quality of healthcare delivery, and it can do more than one test,” said Headley, who fully endorsed the initiative, which she says is a boost to healthcare in the community.
Nicole Wallace, a detective corporal, who is involved in counselling, is part of the initiative, which she says fits perfectly into her area of speciality.
“I had a long talk with a father who is at a crossroads in his relationship with a mentally challenged son. We had a long talk, and some success was achieved,” said Wallace.
“We have plans to meet the son and work towards helping him. The fair provided an opportunity to help someone in need, and that makes for a successful event.”
Rosalyn Boswell, who received a wheelchair for her mother who suffered a stroke, was quite elated as she looks forward to bringing much-needed comfort to her mother.
“This gift is God sent. It will help in moving Mama around. We won’t have to be lifting her around again. I am most grateful,” said Boswell.
Drawing satisfaction from the many happy faces of those who benefited from the fair, Russell said she was overjoyed that she could assist the community and is looking forward to continuing doing what she has been doing for many years to come.
“It is encouraging, and as soon as I go back, we will start planning for the seventh renewal,” said Russell.