Lead Stories

Approximately 20 students of Marcus Garvey Technical High School in St Ann's Bay who are part of an empowerment programme group, benefited recently from free medical checks by Dr Phillip Henry.

Henry, who has a practice in St Ann's Bay and also works at the St Ann's Bay Hospital, responded to a call by guidance counsellor at the school, Lilleth Luke, who is coordinating the empowerment programme.

"The Mico Special Assessment Unit, which is to start assisting come September, required that these students, who have special challenges in regards to behaviour and performance, be evaluated by a doctor," Henry said.

He added: "They thought that the process may not be just about the education system but may also have a medical background."

So he agreed to do the medical checks for free.

"I volunteered my services. This is part of what I think is our purpose on earth; it's part of the holistic approach," the doctor said.

Luke explained that the empowerment programme, started in 2008, is assisting 167 students, aged 16 and 17, with their reading.

"Progress has been very good. We have promoted 36 of them to the main school as their reading level has improved," she explained.

- Carl Gilchrist