UTech, Jamaica Hosts Successful Back-to-School Community Health and Services Fair
Prof. Haldane Johnson, Acting Deputy President, University of Technology, Jamaica enjoys an informative discussion with Chonika Campbell (left), Compliance Officer and Tameka Williams, Inspector, both from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's NIS division during the UTech, Jamaica Back-to-School Community Health and Services Fair held at the Papine Campus on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
University of Technology Jamaica, as part of the major outreach initiatives commemorating the institution’s 65th anniversary, hosted a successful Back-to-School Community Health and Services Fair on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at its Papine and Arthur Wint Campuses
The health fair was jointly organized by the University’s Human Resources Division, the Community Service Department, Joint Colleges of Medicine, Oral Health, and Veterinary Sciences and the UTech, Jamaica Students’ Union.
Scores of persons from communities surrounding the two campuses, as well as UTech, Jamaica employees, students and their family members, took advantage of the various health and wellness services offered throughout the day. Several partnering organizations were well represented by dedicated team members who, from well-equipped pop-up booths, offered well-needed services to the attendees.
Among the free health services provided were back-to-school medicals for students aged 10 to 12, blood pressure, HIV and Body Mass Index (BMI) tests, eye and hearing checks, vaccination and oral health checks including dental cleaning and extractions. The health services were provided by UTech, Jamaica College of Oral Health, The Heart Foundation of Jamaica and Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, among others.
At least 150 persons who registered for dental cleaning were transported to the College of Oral Health Sciences, Arthur Wint Drive Campus by shuttle service. Other patrons of the fair, seized the opportunity to receive assistance with personal documents such as their NIS, PATH, tax and health records with representatives on hand from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Registrar General Department, and the Ministry of Health’s National Health Fund.
Prof. Haldane Johnson, Acting Deputy President, University of Technology, Jamaica commended the organizing team and sponsors for their joint effort in making the Fair a reality, noting that “both our students and members of staff are engaged in a variety of service projects geared towards making a positive impact on the lives of people by reaching out into the surrounding communities and beyond.” Prof. Johnson asserted that the outreach fair “aligns with UTech, Jamaica’s mission to advance our strong tradition of community engagement and partnership to facilitate capacity building and growth, particularly in the communities in our immediate environs with which we share space and concern.”
He cited other University service and outreach initiatives including the Students’ Union led “Teach the Youth” programme, the “Saturday University” programme for residents in surrounding communities, the ongoing oral health fairs, as well as partnerships with the Mustard Seed Communities, among others, which demonstrate the University’s service and outreach commitment.
Mrs. Simone McGregor-Jackson (left)Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, UTech, Jamaica is being guided in the process of filling out a personal registration certificate by a representative from the Registrar General Department (RGD) during the UTech, Jamaica Back-to-School Community Health and Services at the grounds of the Student Activity Centre (the Barn) Papine Campus on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Commenting on the significance of the health and outreach fair, Mrs. Simone McGregor-Jackson, Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, UTech, Jamaica, noted that the initiative was organized in keeping with one the institution’s core value of service.
“At the heart of the University of Technology, Jamaica, lies a core value that defines our very existence – SERVICE. As your National University, our unwavering commitment to excellence extends beyond the confines of our campus, reaching out to both our immediate and wider community. We firmly believe that service is not merely an aspect of our operations; rather, it forms the very foundation upon which we stand,” said Mrs. McGregor-Jackson, adding that “It is through service” that we find meaningful ways to positively impact the lives of those we interact with daily.”
Mr. Paulton Gordon Director, Community Service, UTech, Jamaica, was curious to learn more about the new features of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s PATH facility during his conversation with Miss Paige Jackson Director of Graduation, PATH, at her organization’s booth at the UTech, Jamaica Back-to-School Community Health and Services at the Papine Campus on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Describing the event as a moment for harmonious reintegration, Director, Community Service UTech, Jamaica, Mr. Paulton Gordon noted that since the COVID-19 situation and the curtailment of face-to-face outreach activities, “we were looking at opportunities to restart and to get the integration and the harmony back as it relates to our relationship with the communities in and around our space and we saw this as a perfect opportunity.” Mr. Gordon further noted, “We got the dental persons involved. We got some of our nurses and doctors involved, so it a holistic effort of outreach and giving back to our staff and our adjoining communities.”
End.
Photo Highlights
A medical representative from The Heart Foundation of Jamaica performs a cholesterol test on a senior citizen at the UTech, Jamaica Back-to-School Community Health and Services Fair held at the Papine Campus on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
A mother (standing) watches as a UTech, Jamaica nursing student volunteer prepares to conduct medical screening on her son.
Contact:
- Michelle A. Beckford
Corporate Communications Manager - University of Technology, Jamaica
- Telephone: (876) 970-5299/818-5893
- Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm