ANTHONY MINOTT, Portmore Star Writer
USING A HOLISTIC approach to ministry, the Emmanuel Apostolic Church, located in Naggo Head, hosted their third annual community health fair on their church grounds on January 28.
"We believe in not just catering for the spiritual man, but to the total man." Bishop Everton Thomas, head pastor of told THE PORTMORE STAR. "We believe in a holistic approach to ministry, as we also cater for the social, medical and educational aspects of man."
The pastor noted that there was a good response to the health fair. "This is the third staging of the health fair and the response has been good, people are steadily streaming in and utilising the services provided."
ATTENDANCE
More than 500 persons made use of the various services offered, including 192 assessing medical services. Patrons had several services to choose from as Hi-Tech M.D.R Ltd. did a number of blood related tests, in addition to cholesterol and glucose stats. The Diabetes Association of Jamaica workers administered blood sugar tests, and blood pressure checks, along with vision screening, foot care, and kidney tests. Pap smear tests were also done.
The services were offered to patrons at a low cost ranging from as little as $100.
While the medical services were placed inside the church, the booth holders were situated on the church lawn. The booth holders included RBTT, Portmore Pines, and Valle. Other booths on display were Bible Society of Jamaica, Lasco, DB & G (Dehring, Bunting and Golding) Ltd. and the Registrar General's Department (RGD). The RGD was kept busy processing applications from various patrons on the day.
One patient at the health fair, 45-year-old Eulah Gibson praised the church's initiative.
"It (The health fair was) very good, I got to do all types of services at one place apart from two machines that broke down everything else went well," Miss Gibson explained.
She gave some advice to the organisers of the health fair. "What they (the organisers) need to do in the future is to promote it some more in Portmore and the surrounding communities of Spanish Town, especially in the low income earning areas."
She suggested that buses could be used to get more persons to take part in the health fair, with a minimal cost attached to the transportation package.
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