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In recognition of the 72nd Republic Day of India, more than 1,500 persons in nine parishes across Jamaica received medical checkups and treatment courtesy of the High Commission of India.

St. James, which played host to one of the 14 medical camps that were in operation on Sunday (January 31), saw several patients, despite the rain, showing up at the Faith Temple Assembly of God, Princess Street, Montego Bay, to take advantage of the free checkups, treatment (diabetic pills), and consultations.

Zingcharwon Rungsung, wife of the High Commissioner of India to Jamaica, in an interview with reporters, said quality health care is something “we want to champion as part of our mission here in Jamaica”.

She said that, with COVID-19 forcing a scale back of major planned activities, the high commission thought it was only fitting to put on the medical camps so as to give as many people as possible the chance to have one-on-one free consultations with doctors.

“We said to ourselves that there is nothing more important now than health care,” Rungsung said.

“We are celebrating Indian Day by having 14 medical camps in nine parishes (St Mary, St Andrew, Portland, St Ann, St James, Manchester, St Catherine, Clarendon, and St Elizabeth) and we have a strong team of medical professionals who are very excited about this community outreach.”

She further noted that the health camps have garnered the support of 40 Indian community doctors, pharmaceutical companies, AIIMS Colleges, Northern Caribbean University, custodes and parish councils.

The Indian High Commisssioner’s wife continued: “We are hoping that this is the first of many. Many persons have lost their jobs during these difficult times and it is difficult for them to go for medical care. And so if we can do a little bit in making some change in some people’s lives… bring a little smile to their lives… we think that would help. So that’s the idea behind having these medical camps.”

Rungsung said that the Commission is indeed fortunate to have a number of doctors of Indian origin who, without hesitation or much prodding, came out to voluntarily give of their services as well as several “pharmaceutical companies”.

She adde: “We are also luck that the mayors and the custodies of the various parishes have given us the space to carry out the medical camps.”

In the meantime, Custos of St. James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin, said the medical camp couldn’t have come at a better time for the parish, adding that not only was it a great gesture on the part of the Indian High Commission but “comes at a time when many persons have been out of a job and are in need of medical attention”.

“As Custos of the parish, I welcome them wholeheartedly and I know our citizens are very appreciative of the service and the medical treatment they have received,” said Pitkin.

For his part, Mayor of Montego Bay Leeroy Williams said the St. James Municipality was thrilled to be part of the medical camp and hope to see it returning next year.

“This is very good for Montego Bay and neighbouring communities,” he added.

“We do owe a great debt of gratitude to the Indian High Commission and for selecting St. James as one of the nine parishes.”