MORE than 100 children in Maverley, St Andrew, recently benefited from health-care services, including dental services, at a back-to-school health fair organised by the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights (RTNH).

In its fifth year, the event was held at The Source by the Jamaica Automobile Association in Maverley.

Club President Coleen Lewis described the annual fair as timely and said it assisted many parents and caregivers with back-to-school preparations, which she noted can be a very costly exercise, both in terms of time and money.

“In the clamour to satisfy the educational needs, children’s health needs are sometimes overlooked either because parents and caregivers cannot find the time or because all their expenses have gone into purchasing material needs,” she said.

Good health, Lewis said, is important if children are to learn effectively in the classroom.

Several volunteer doctors, health workers and community members, including volunteers from The Source and the Maverley Police Youth Club, were on hand to help coordinate the event, which allowed residents to access a range of tests and checks.

A session was also conducted on breastfeeding.

“The intention was to bring some basic services, which many children may not otherwise benefit from, especially dental care, which many people find unaffordable,” said director of Club Service Projects, Tayana Wong.

In addition to the health services, RTNH also provided the children with back-to-school supplies, including books and other stationery, to help with preparation for the new school year.