Contributed
A child getting dental work done at the health fair.
Leighton Levy, Star Writer
An estimated 600 persons suffering from or showing symptoms of the chikungunya virus were among more than 1,000 who turned up at Caymanas Park, desperately seeking medical care at a health fair put on by Caymanas Track Limited on Sunday.
The health fair staged by CTL, in association with INTAS Pharmaceuticals, from noon to 5 p.m., saw persons from nearby communities in Portmore, St Catherine, receiving free consultation and care from a team of doctors, dentists, eye and bone specialists.
Patients also received complimentary medication and information on health insurance.
Chikungunya cases
It turned out to be a major boon for members of surrounding communities, who turned out in droves, many suffering from the viral outbreak affecting several areas of the country.
"There were over 1,000 persons seen at the health fair," said Dr Andrew Salmon, who coordinated the medical team working at the fair. "Most of the cases seen, greater than 60 per cent, were suspected to have the chikungunya or had already been exposed to the virus. The remaining patients were a mixture of chronic diseases and respiratory illnesses."
Sheena Rampaul, CTL's brand manager, undertook the initiative as a way of CTL giving back to the communities that continue to support the track and racing industry.
"CTL takes a keen interest in the well-being of individuals and believe they have a social responsibility to give back to the community in which it operates, and to individuals who cannot afford the benefits of health care," she said.
The health fair could not have been timelier and was well received by those who attended. Dahlia Gayle, unemployed, travelled from Kingston to attend the fair.
"I had some pain in my knee, that the doctor said was arthritis," she said. "I really enjoyed it. The next one won't miss me."
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