Free back-to-school health checks planned across St Thomas

The St Thomas Health Department will host a series of free back-to-school medical clinics and vaccination drives across the parish throughout August, as part of its annual public health outreach programme.

Medical teams will provide health assessments, administer HPV and other routine vaccines where required, and complete school medical forms, to help ensure students are prepared for the new school year.

The programme begins today at the Isaac Barrant Health Centre in Hampton Court and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional clinics will be held on August 15 at the Seaforth Health Centre in Seaforth, August 22 at the Morant Bay Health Centre in Lyssons, and August 29 at the Cedar Valley Health Centre in Cedar Valley.

Medical Officer of Health for St Thomas Dr D’Oyen Smith urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the service and ensure their children complete the required medical assessments before the start of the school term.

“A child’s health plays a critical role in their ability to learn, participate, and thrive in the school environment. These back-to-school medical clinics provide an important opportunity for parents to ensure their children’s health needs are assessed and addressed before the start of the new academic year,” Smith said.

Parents and guardians are reminded to bring their child’s immunisation card and school medical form.

The St Thomas Health Department said it remains committed to working with families and communities to strengthen preventive healthcare and improve health outcomes for children across the parish.