BELMONT, Westmoreland — A coalition comprising pharmaceutical entity Aventa Jamaica Limited, the Sizzla Youth Foundation, and the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association executed a comprehensive medical outreach initiative on December 6. Dubbed ‘Jamaica Rise,’ the mission targeted the hurricane-battered community of Belmont, delivering critical healthcare and psychosocial support following the catastrophic passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.
The hurricane inflicted severe structural devastation, widespread flooding, and protracted power failures across Westmoreland, crippling local infrastructure and severing access to essential services. In response, Aventa Jamaica mobilized a contingent of volunteer psychiatrists, opticians, general practitioners, and nurses to address the emergent health crisis.
From 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., residents received holistic medical interventions, including blood pressure and glucose screenings, optical examinations, physician consultations, and mental health assessments. Concurrently, cultural performances and recreational activities—including bounce-a-bout rides for children, complemented by snow cones and popcorn—provided therapeutic diversion and emotional respite from weeks of adversity.
Aventa Jamaica CEO Glenise Durrant characterized the endeavor as a direct extension of the company’s foundational mission to advance health and enhance lives. ‘We are truly excited to have our partners and staff working collectively to uplift the community,’ Durrant stated, expressing gratitude for the collaborative support.
The mission incorporated a robust psychosocial component led by renowned cultural advocate Dr. Amina Blackwood-Meeks, who facilitated interactive storytelling sessions focused on emotional healing and resilience-building. ‘I’m here to support the emotional well-being of the community, helping them recognize that their stories matter,’ she affirmed.
Sizzla Kalonji, recording artist and founder of the Sizzla Youth Foundation, emphasized the importance of solidarity and humanitarian action. ‘This is the time to care and share… When we work in this manner, there shall be no failure,’ he proclaimed.
The outreach concluded with the distribution of over 350 care packages to households. The ‘Jamaica Rise’ mission constitutes one facet of Aventa Jamaica’s broader hurricane response strategy, which includes multi-parish relief deployments and sustained support for healthcare infrastructure island-wide.