Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, welcomed a team of medical professionals and students from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, on their arrival at the Good Samaritan Inn (GSI) on June 4, 2015. It was their fourteenth mission trip to the island but fourth to the GSI where they came to provide free medical checkup, health care and supplies for the needy.

In his welcome to the team, Dr. Ferguson expressed appreciation for the visit of the medical missionary team and highlighted that the visit would make a “big difference” to health care by providing significant and quality care for the needy, while saving significant funds for the government.

“I am very happy that these medical missions are making such a significant contribution to our country,” said Dr. Ferguson, who disclosed that in 2012, Jamaica had one hundred and seventy two (172) 

medical missions visiting the island. That number was increased to one hundred and ninety seven (197) in 2013 with a slight decrease to one hundred and eighty two (182) in 2014.    

The Health Minister commended the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) for inviting the medical team from Nova Southeastern University to provide free medical health care at the Good Samaritan Inn. 

“We cannot underestimate the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church  to attract the team from Nova Southeastern University to come and give service to you.” Said Dr. Fergusonas he addressed those gathered to take advantage of the services from the visiting team.

“As the Minister of Health, I am extremely pleased about the work that is taking place here today,” he said.  Dr. Fenton Ferguson went on to underscore the work of the SDA church in relation to its focus on healthy lifestyle and commended the church for its stance against the smoking of cigarettes.   

Gavin Lowe, General Vice President of the East Jamaica Chapter of the Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) was happy that ASI was able to invite and assist the medical mission team to come to the GSI again this year.

“We are pleased that we were able to assist the medical team to come here.” said Lowe. “Anything that we can do at the Good Samaritan Inn in expressing Christ’s love, we are willing to do so.”  

Over the past fourteen years, the Nova Southeastern University medical missions team have provided medical assistance to thousands of Jamaicans who would not be able to pay for these services. The team, which numbered one hundred and fifty 

eight persons this year, was split into four different groups, with each team going to a different location.   

Don Daley, coordinator of the trip said “This mission trip is a God send for everyone including those who come from abroad.  It is something that they look forward to every year and it’s a pleasure coming here to the Good Samaritan Inn,” Daley said. 

Dr. Paula Anderson Wortes, who is also is a coordinator of the trip, echoed similar sentiments as she spoke glowingly of giving back to the less fortunate especially her fellow Jamaicans.

 “It’s always exciting to come back to provide health care to people in need,” said Dr. Anderson Wortes. “We have a large team of 158 people so it’s wonderful that people are willing to give up their time to come and provide service to people who greatly need it. It’s always exciting to come back to Jamaica to serve my fellow Jamaicans,” said  Dr.  Anderson Wortes with a smile.   

After the welcome and greeting of the team, Dr. Fenton Ferguson and key personnel from the Ministry of Health were given a tour of the  Good Samaritan Inn, including the section where construction of  medical offices are to take place in the not too distant future. Funds for the building of the medical offices were provided by the Seventh-day Adventist World Church earlier this year.

The GSI provides overnight shelter for people who are in need. It is a community drop-in centre where persons may get a change of clothing or even a place to take a bath if  they live on the streets and have no access to water.  On an annual basis, several mission trips to the island provide health care to the needy by partnering with ASI and Seventh-day Adventist Church. Over seven hundred meals are distributed  on a weekly basis  through the facility

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