PAYNESVILLE, Montserrado – More than 1,000 residents of Paynesville benefitted from free health care services over the weekend.

The services were rendered in fulfillment of the city’s third annual health fare, an event initiated two years ago by Paynesville’s Mayor Cyvette Gibson to give back to residents and promote good health.

Jani Jallah, Paynesville City Corporation public relations director, said this year’s event was intended to benefit 5,000 residents. However, Jallah said inclement weather on Friday and Saturday prevented more people from participating.

“We rendered services for eye care, orthopedic, acupuncture, women reproductive health, family planning, obstetrics, gynecology, dental care, blood testing, HIV/AIDS, malaria, hypertension, tuberculosis and many more,” Jallah said.

She said the main focus at the fair was to offer testing and provide treatment.

Jallah said several medical partner institutions provided services at no cost. “Lucky Pharmacy provided us with US$ 5,000 worth of drugs,” she added.

She named the Chinese Medical Team assigned at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Montserrado County Health Team, Liberia National Blood and Safety Program, Family Health Center, Hope for Women, Smiles for Liberia among others as some of the volunteers.

Some residents on the standby for the free medical services, Photo: Gbatemah Senah

“All of the financial support was provided by the Paynesville City Corporation,” she said.

However, Jallah said other partners provided materials and logistic support.

The PR director stated that the World Health Organization volunteered to build the booths, while UNICEF provided the banners that were used for the event. She also stated that Cellcom provided t-shirts.

The spokesperson of the ninth China Medical Team to Liberia, Ye Ben, said her team comprised of five medical doctors including surgeons and gynecologists, and eye doctors.

During the two days, Ye said her team tested and treated several patients with a list of different illnesses and diseases. “We received several cases of high blood pressure, abdominal pain, diabetes, cervix cancer, and several others cases,” she said.

She also disclosed that cases which required surgical operations were referred to their JFK operation center.

A patient being examined at the Chinese Medical Team’s booth during the Health Far, Photo: Gbatemah Senah

Beneficiaries of the two-day free medical services praised the city and its partners.

Annie Flomo, the mother of a six year-old girl, who benefitted from the program said she was grateful to the organizers.

“I am really happy and grateful for the organizers of the program. Without paying any money, we receive free and quality service here,” she said.

Featured photo by Gbatemah Senah