As always, we had a wonderful time serving the people of Jamaica in Manchester with our medical mission from Saturday, February 2, until Thursday, February 14. Our team of 51 had a wonderful time, and consisted of 5 physicians, 3 nurse practitioners, 3 dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 2 pharmacists, 10 registered nurses, and 26 general helpers. About 3/4 of the participants had been on a team before and ΒΌ were new. We stayed at Kendal Camp and Conference Center and were transported each day to different areas of the parish by Mr. Patrick MacDowell and his staff from Obsession Tours.
We held medical clinics in 20 different locations in the parish, and dental clinics in 10 locations. In the medical clinics, we saw 1,119 patients and dispensed 3,175 prescriptions. In the dental clinics, 348 patients were seen with 340 extractions, 73 fillings, and 153 cleanings done, and sealants applied to 62 teeth.
In addition to the medical and dental clinics, our construction team installed 30 drip irrigation systems for subsistence farmers in partnership with Joseph and Alice Mulaa from Family Life Equipping Network, based in Mandeville; Pastor Kenroy Blackwood from Rose Hill; and Isratech Jamaica, Inc. We also installed a large drip irrigation system at St. John Bosco School, Hatfield. Members of Nazareth Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls, IA, and Fleetwood Rotary Club, Fleetwood, PA, again contributed over $30,000 to the construction project.
Again, we appreciate so much the cooperation of the Ministry of Health staff in making all this possible. We were kindly assisted by MOH staff in getting our medications through customs, and that process was quite smooth. Special thanks go to Mr. Batisse for his help on Saturday, February 2.
