DESPITE the drought condition now affecting the island and minor glitches, COK Sodality Credit Union got a passing grade for their recent health fair that saw more than 200 people benefiting from free health checks.

Held at the Police Officers’ Club on Hope Road in St Andrew, the COK Health Fair, which was held in partnership with the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA), exceeded expectations.

COK CEO Jacqueline Mighty told the Jamaica Observer that the credit union set out to have a health fair that did not only cater to physical health, but also financial health.

“I think from the support of the persons who came on board and partnered with us, it was an overwhelming success,” Mighty said, adding that more than 450 people passed through the event.

“So I think it was a great success. We are very happy that we were able to give back in such a meaningful way,” she shared.

JMDA Presdient Dr Alfred Dawes also said the event was a success, disclosing that more than 200 people, the majority of whom were children, were seen by the doctors who volunteered their services.

“This is actually one of our biggest outreach events for the calendar year. It was so successful that we want to make it a recurrent event, partnering with COK next year,” Dr Dawes told Your Health Your Wealth.

At the first-time health fair, participants were able to get their back-to-school medicals done for free, have various health checks, such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as access several booths that provided information on health, wealth and overall wellness.

Dr Dawes admitted that the turnout exceeded expectations and that there were a few glitches.

“Well because of the scale, it was kind of new to COK as well, there were a few glitches in terms of the screening,” Dr Dawes said, adding that because such a huge turnout was not expected, there was a slight delay in terms of seeing doctors.

“But having seen how well received it was, we will be increasing the screening stations, like the blood pressure and so on, so that next year we can do a lot more,” the JMDA president insisted.

He said outside of children who were seen for back-to-school medicals, adults with diabetes, high blood pressure and lupus were also able to access health services.

Dr Dawes insisted though that the feedback has been great, with people saying how much they loved the initiative. He said too that it eased the financial burden on several families, since some parents had three to four children doing back-to-school medicals, which would have added up if they had to pay for each medical.

Meanwhile, COK Sodality Credit Union Sales and Marketing Manager Emma Thomas said one of this year’s strategic objectives of the credit union is to focus on the membership in terms of acquisition, and looking at existing members, what their needs are, and how COK can give back.

She said it was out of this thrust that the idea to host a health, wealth and wellness fair was born, and that the back-to-school period was also considered.

Outside of the health checks and different booths represented at the fair, participants were also entertained.