Adventists launch first mobile medical and dental clinic in Jamaica

The Honorable Fitz Jackson, member of Jamaica’s Parliament for South St. Catherine, is about to cut the ribbon to officially launch the mobile clinic. Pastor Roy Dennis and Dr. Patric Rutherford looks on. Images by Damian Chambers.

November 23, 2015 | Portmore, Jamaica | Damian Chambers/IAD

The Honorable Fitz Jackson, member of Jamaica’s Parliament for South St. Catherine, is about to cut the ribbon to officially launch the mobile clinic. Pastor Roy Dennis and Dr. Patric Rutherford looks on. Images by Damian Chambers.

The Braeton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Central Jamaica is now prepared to take basic medical and dental care to the doorsteps of residents in surrounding communities of the church with the creation of the first Adventist-owned mobile medical and dental clinic to be launched in Jamaica.

The church has been helping more than 600 persons through its annual community back-to-school health fair since 2003 and is hoping that with the mobile clinic, the community can be impacted greater.

Randall Williams, health ministries leader of the Braeton Adventist Church said the idea of the mobile clinic was born when the church recognized that there were some persons who were unable to attend the clinic at the church because of financial challenges.

“The idea then was shared with the congregation in 2013, and after two years of planning, working and fund-raising, the mobile clinic is now a reality,” explained Williams.

The clinic is built within a 20 feet container that sits on a 23 feet flat-bed truck and has its own electrical generating and water system.

The clinic contains three offices: two for basic medical services and one for dental.

Inside one of two medical offices in the mobile unit.

Patric Rutherford, CEO of the Adventist-owned Andrews Memorial Hospital, who was the guest speaker, commended the effort of the church to take health to the community. “You have done something great and I look forward to partnering with you to show the love of Jesus to the community,” said Rutherford.

The Honorable Fitz Jackson, Member of Parliament for South St. Catherine, who was present at the launch and brought greetings. “What your church has been doing in the area of health service provision is most welcome by me and the government, because what the government does is not enough and will not be enough. What you do assist in taking the burden off public hospitals.”

Pastor Roy Dennis, health ministries director of the Central Jamaica Conference, also praised the work of the church for its care to the community and for doing what Jesus would have done.

“I would like to commend you for meeting the practical needs of individuals within your community. This is a tremendous ministry, the ministry of Jesus Christ,” Dennis said.

The launch was held on Nov. 14 on the grounds of the Braeton Adventist Church before scores of members and community residents.