Montego Bay to host Atlanta Sister Cities Health Mission in October

A team of 31 volunteers, including medical practitioners, nurses and non-medical personnel, will arrive in Montego Bay on Saturday, October 5, to participate in the 20th staging of the annual Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Health Mission.

The three-day health mission will be held from October 7 to 9 and will be hosted at the St John's Methodist Community Action Centre on Duke Street (off Humber Avenue) in Montego Bay between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"It is certainly with great appreciation that we acknowledge the invaluable contribution that our volunteers have made over the years to our people through this programme. The health team from Atlanta epitomises two key concepts associated with the field of health care: that of volunteerism and quality service," Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St James Parish Council Glendon Harris said.

The Atlanta delegation will be led by chairperson of the Atlanta Chapter of the Sister Cities Committee Vin Martin.

According to head of the Montego Bay Chapter of the Sister Cities Committee, Fred Smith, specialists in the fields of ophthalmology, gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics, internal medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacology will be part of the team of visiting health professionals.

"Since the signing of our Sister Cities relationship in 1972, Atlanta and Montego Bay have developed greater synergies in the areas of economic development, education, culture, and health care," Mayor of Atlanta Kasim Reed said.

Over the past 19 years, the Atlanta Health Mission has served 44,000 patients in St James as well as neighbouring parishes and has dispensed approximately $80 million in medical supplies and services.

The visiting practitioners will also be supported by local physicians, nurses, and other non-medical volunteers and will also be facilitated by the St James Health Department.

The Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Committee is the oldest Caribbean group in the city of Atlanta. It is one of 18 members of the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission.