Issa Trust Foundation's 7th Medical Mission

The Issa Trust Foundation, the non-profit organisation established by Couples Resorts in 2005, in collaboration with a team of health professionals led by Stacy McConkey of the University of Iowa Children's Hospital and the Ministry of Health, provided a series of free medical clinics targeting children in the parish of St Mary from September 13 to 20.

The team of 23 medical volunteers included paediatricians, a biomedical engineer, pharmacists, a paediatric intensive care physician, paediatric hematology oncology physicians, a paediatric cardiologist, general paediatricians, a paediatric nephrologist, paediatric nurse practitioners and paediatric nurses. All were accommodated at Couples Tower Isle in St Mary.

Clinics were held at health centres in Retreat, Annotto Bay, Port Maria, Islington and Highgate. Approximately US$50,000 worth of medications and supplies were distributed. A special clinic day was also held for the children of the hotel staff of Couples Sans Souci and Couples Tower Isle.

Each child was given a worm pill and dispensed free medication and blood work given for children under two years. All children received a bag with a stuffed toy, vitamins, toothpaste and toothbrush.

Lady Allen on board

On Monday, September 19, the Islington clinic was visited by Lady Allen, wife of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, a patron of the Issa Trust Foundation. Lady Allen, who is from the district of Islington, toured the facility and met with each volunteer as well as the local medical officers, stopping to greet patients along the way. Also in attendance at the clinic were custos of St Mary, the Honourable 'Bobby' Pottinger; Wesley Davis, chairman of the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA); Dr Suzette Morris, Dr SanSan Win and Dr Isaac Brown, all with the NERHA as well as Paul Issa, chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation.

"This year, we have partnered with Connexin Software Inc, a company providing a paediatric electronic health record system. The mission of this partnership is to establish an ongoing database of the children seen, documenting predictors such as height, weight, labs and common diagnoses," commented Diane Pollard, president and CEO of the Issa Trust Foundation. "With this data, we will be able to develop strategies to meet the specific needs of the children of Jamaica," she added.

The Issa Trust Foundation works to serve the children of Jamaica and train local medical providers while providing opportunities for US-based medical professionals to experience a clinical care setting abroad and give freely of their time and expertise. Last year July, the foundation also launched the first-ever paediatric medical rotation programme in Jamaica in partnership with the NERHA. The rotation, which required a significant investment in materials and training, involves two paediatric doctors per month, 12 months of the year. Volunteers provide direct care to and supervise the care of approximately 20,000 children per year.

About the Foundation

The Issa Trust Foundation was established in 2005 by Couples Resorts as a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Its mission is to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote well-being and development for the people of Jamaica. Board members are Paul Issa, Randy Russell, Diane Pollard, Alex Ghisays and Gail Soares. For more information, visit www.issatrustfoundation.com.