Medical Mission Report: Jamaica 2019

Education:

We began the mission with our annual educational symposium Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Tryall Resort and Villas. At the request of last year’s attendees, we expanded the symposium to a full day including morning snacks and a full sit-down lunch. This allowed us to increase the length of each presentation and to add an additional speaker. This year’s presentations were:
Orlando Pile, MD, Medical Director: Diabetes; Kathi Brown-Favrot, RN, Education Director: HIV Update; Andrew McNeil, MD: Emerging Infectious Diseases; Lucille Washington, OD: Common Diseases of the Eye; Lynn Crostic, RN: Diabetic Wound Care; Andriette Ward, MD: Pediatric Asthma.

RN: 15, MD: 5, DDS: 1, Social Workers and other HealthCare providers: 33

HIV Education: HIV and STI Education presentations were given to a total of 400 students at the following high schools and college:
Green Island, Merlene Ottey, Hopewell, and Knockalva College

CLINICAL: This year the CHO clinics screened for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, eye disease, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer (PAP smears). In addition, we offered HIV testing with a rapid mouth test that gives results in 20 minutes.

The locations of the clinics and the numbers of patients seen are listed below:

• Pell River: Adult 102, Pediatric 63, Ramble: Adult 82, Pediatric 30
• Cascade: Adult 76, Pediatric 15, Dias: Adult 86, Pediatric 34
• Great River: 16 , Round Hill (employees): 45
• HIV Tests: 81 all negative
• Number of Wound Care Patients seen: 62
• Young Athletes screened: 91
• Number of Prescriptions Dispensed: 900. Most prescriptions given in the amount sufficient for a 30-90 days’ supply.

Comments pertaining to this year’s mission: These are reflections on what was accomplished, what can be improved in 2020, and where we might focus our efforts

1. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common medical problems seen in the clinics.
2. Glaucoma and cataracts were the most common eye problems addressed.
3. The wound care RN found a need for more up to date supplies and wound care techniques. She provided education to the wound care nurses and nurse’s aides she worked with. She has already started working on her education goals for next year and locating supplies to bring to the clinics she visits.
4. While it is joyful that there wasn’t a single HIV positive test this year, given the prevalence of HIV in Hanover Parish, we are missing the section of the population who are living with HIV/AIDS and probably unaware they are positive.
5. Dental Care is still a major health problem for adults and children. This is fueled by a high sugar diet, and, for children, drinking bag juice instead of water. Access to affordable dental care including routine cleaning, and poor dental hygiene in the home, are major contributors to the problem.
6. Sudden cardiac death is a problem in young athletes in Jamaica. This year we continued our program of cardiac screening for athletes We identified several students who were referred to their local doctors for further screening and who will not be allowed to participate in their sport until they have been further evaluated and cleared.
7. Caribbean Health Outreach mission to Jamaica in 2019 couldn’t have taken place without the funding and volunteer work from the following organizations and individuals. Our gratitude to you cannot be measured. We thank you.
8. Hanover Charities
   • Katrin Casserly
   • Hopewell Jaycees
   • Hopewell Kiwanis
   • Balfour Hutchinson
   • Hope Markes
   • Webster Bodden
   • Greg and Marsha Carter
   • Matron Hazel Campbell

Prepared by: Kathi Brown-Favrot, RN.
Director, www.caribbeanhealthoutreachinc.org