We made a commitment as a member of that global community of cities on a fast track path, to end the global march of HIV/AIDS. As part of the Kingston plan, we also made a commitment to do our bit to promote awareness, testing and to end stigma. As part of that in 2015, and also as part of our Local Government month, we hosted a couple of health fairs; in fact we did four of them and they were staged in various communities across the municipality. These health fairs were geared towards promoting a healthy lifestyle as well as providing individuals with access to the other services. Several health care providers and pharmaceutical companies were invited to partner with us in this venture, and offered various services to the public free of charge.
The health fairs were carried out in the Dallas, Molynes Gardens, Olympic Gardens, Hagley Park and Norman Gardens Division, there was one that served both the Molynes and Olympic Gardens Divisions. there was one in the Norman Gardens Division and there was one in the Hagley Park Division.
We are grateful for all the support offered by the Ministry of Health, not just with the health fairs but also with crafting a plan for Kingston and St. Andrew in terms of our fast track agenda. The Jamaica National Family Planning Board, who made their mobile HIV testing unit available; and it was there for all four health fairs. The Lions Club of Kingston who assisted with eye screening; Jamaica Foundation for Life Long Learning, which was also there to make sure individuals were aware of some of the programmes they have that could be of benefit. So too were the National Youth Service, HEART, PATH as well as the RGD, and Lasco which provided non-prescription medication for the individuals who were there.
We were particularly heartened by the 70 or so persons who voluntarily, freely went and had their HIV test done. And most of you would know that you get your results immediately. And they do their counselling as well there. And it’s part of what we are encouraging. A number of you do your health fairs from time to time throughout the year, we are also suggesting that you add to the sleet of services your HIV/AIDS testing. So that if we were to get in touch with the Ministry of Health, the National Family Planning Board then we can bring the testing unit on board it would go a long way to increasing testing and awareness, which is in fact the aim of our fa