By Keithroy Charles
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Health Centre Community Centre and the Dental Clinic at Pond Pasture East Basseterre in St. Kitts buzzed with much excitement and anticipation on Monday, July 28 as residents took advantage of the free health care services that were being offered by United Hands, a U.S. based group of Seventh–Day Adventist health care professionals.
The group which arrived on Sunday, July 27th from South Florida is working in collaboration with the local St. Kitts Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Ministry of Health to interact and share their healing ministry with the residents of both St.Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. David Williams from the visiting group explained that the motivation for this philanthropic endeavor was, “we want to give something back to people and use what God has blessed us with.” He went on to explain that his grandfather was originally from Nevis and most of the members have Caribbean roots; hence every year since its inception in 1998, the group travels to a Caribbean destination or African territories to bring relief to the ailing and suffering.
Alvincent Hudson, one of the health care volunteers, who resides in Canada is Kittitian by birth and has traveled here to the Federation with the group to participate in the week-long relief efforts.
According to Dr. Williams, the 45-member plus group made the decision to grace the nation with their presence after many requests from the local Seventh-Day Adventist congregation in the Federation, St. Kitts.
Among the services offered by the non-profit organization were, vision evaluation, free eyeglasses, blood pressure checks, glucose/cholesterol screenings, ultrasound imaging, dental evaluation and treatment and nutrition.
An official from the group stated, “it was the intention of the group to spread the Good news of Jesus Christ throughout the entire twin island federation”. Thus various venues for administering health care services were set up on both islands.
On Tuesday, July 29 and Wednesday, July 30 dental evaluation and treatment continued at the New Town Health Centre.
However, other members carried the good news of free health care to the Cayon Health and Community Centres, as well as the Old Road Health and Community Centres, simultaneously, on Tuesday only.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, July 30th the residents of St. Pauls and the surrounding areas got their opportunity to be screened and treated for health related ailments as well.
On Thursday, July 31 all services headed for Nevis where the residents there were also afforded similar opportunities to those here in St.Kitts.
One official has informed that the public was very receptive and it pleased the group tremendously to bring health relief to the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis.
Another official disclosed that the mission in St.Kitts was to offer proper health care to people coupled with the love of Christ and to get the public to be interactive.
When asked about funding for such an event Dr. David Williams said, “many organizations donated pharmaceuticals and equipment to this worthy cause but each member took their own responsibility for travel and accommodation arrangements”.
He added that General Electric (GE), Loma Linda University, Johnson and Johnson as well as other health care professionals in the US have contributed to this worthwhile effort.
The United Hands Inc. has been to several other Caribbean locations including Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica and St. Lucia. South Africa has also been blessed by the group’s philanthropic efforts.
To mark the end of this week of healing by United Hands Inc., a Community Thanksgiving day has been organized by the local Seventh-Day-Adventist Church. This will be held Saturday, August 2nd from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Rivers of Living Waters Church Building, located at Lime Kiln, Basseterre in St. Kitts.
