Jamaican diaspora leads healthcare outreach at St James community health centre
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (fifth left), and 2024 Governor-General's Achievement Award recipient and Vice Chair of the Jamaica Diaspora Taskforce Action Network (JDTAN) Health and Wellness Task Force, Dr. Dahlia Blake (sixth left), share a moment with the medical team at the Diaspora Day of Service at the reopened Catherine Hall Community Health Centre in St. James, on Thursday, June 18.
Key Points(5)
- Members of the Jamaican diaspora reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local healthcare services on June 18, as medical professionals provided care to residents during a Diaspora Day of Service held at the reopened Catherine Hall Community Health Centre in St James.
- The initiative was led by 2024 Governor-General’s Achievement Award recipient and Vice Chair of the Jamaica Diaspora Task Force Action Network (JDTAN) Health and Wellness Task Force, Dr Dahlia Blake.
- It formed part of activities for the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference and brought together healthcare workers from Jamaica and the United States.
- Dr Blake coordinated a team of medical professionals stationed at the Catherine Hall facility, while a smaller group was deployed to the Granville Health Centre.
- Together, the teams provided services to approximately 40 patients over the course of the outreach.
Members of the Jamaican diaspora reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local healthcare services on June 18, as medical professionals provided care to residents during a Diaspora Day of Service held at the reopened Catherine Hall Community Health Centre in St James.
The initiative was led by 2024 Governor-General’s Achievement Award recipient and Vice Chair of the Jamaica Diaspora Task Force Action Network (JDTAN) Health and Wellness Task Force, Dr Dahlia Blake. It formed part of activities for the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference and brought together healthcare workers from Jamaica and the United States.
Dr Blake coordinated a team of medical professionals stationed at the Catherine Hall facility, while a smaller group was deployed to the Granville Health Centre. Together, the teams provided services to approximately 40 patients over the course of the outreach.
The medical mission offered primary healthcare services, health screenings, patient education and vision testing. Participants included diaspora healthcare professionals from Florida, alongside returning residents and local staff from Cornwall Regional Hospital, the St James Public Health Services and Imperial Optical.
Dr Blake said members of the diaspora remain closely connected to Jamaica’s development, particularly in strengthening healthcare delivery.
“The diaspora is committed to supporting Jamaica and the healthcare initiatives. We’re an integral part of Jamaica, and for the growth and sustainability of Jamaica, we want to influence healthcare in a major way, and we’re excited to do that,” she said.
Among those receiving care was Byron Shaw, who attended the clinic for a health check and praised the service provided.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, also commended the initiative, describing it as a strong example of diaspora engagement and community support during the conference period. He thanked overseas Jamaicans for their participation and acknowledged the support of the Montego Bay Convention Centre in facilitating the event.
The outreach formed part of broader conference activities, which also received support from sponsors including Opera Meets Reggae, Lyssa-Reva Print and Press, Jovera Collective and Pier 1 Jamaica.
