Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Rather than cleaning the streets or painting the school as part of its Labour Day activities, past students, teachers and parents of Vaz Preparatory School, Kingston, laboured with love and provided senior citizens in the Rollington Town community with free medical check-ups.

The senior citizens received free blood, cholesterol, glucose and eye screening, among other things.

"We want to give back to the Rollington Town community and we are hoping to make this an annual event," said Karlene Bisnott, vice-principal of Vaz Preparatory and coordinator of the senior citizens' health fair.

Medical check-up

When The Gleaner visited the school on Wednesday, scores of senior citizens were seen getting their medical check-up. The Ministry of Health was also on hand providing them with information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, while Lasco gave away samples of food that they can use to prepare healthy meals.

Five doctors, including past students and parents, offered their services to the senior citizens.

The school had planned to screen about 200 senior citizens and by 11:30 a.m., more than 50 of them were already on the school grounds getting tested for the various diseases.

"I feel fine and wonderful; God bless Vaz Prep," said Constance Brown, a senior citizen who resides in Mountain View but visited the community to benefit from the programme.

"I think this is a good idea because some of us cannot afford medical treatment," said Canute Vassell, who got his eyes screened.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com