LOCAL GROUP PLANS MEDICAL MISSION TO JAMAICA

A group of Cape Girardeau doctors and nurses are planning a weeklong trip to Jamaica in April, but their visit will be no vacation on the beach.

The group is participating in a medical mission trip to provide primary health care to rural communities in the township of Carron Hall.

"This is no resort destination," Karen Horrell said Wednesday as she and other volunteers sorted through donated items in preparation for the trip.

They were wrapping surgical packs and organizing medical supplies. Everything must be cataloged and labeled and must pass through customs. Everything must be shipped to Jamaica a month before the team leaves Cape Girardeau.

The group has been working since August to plan the trip. James Caughlan, pastor of Evangelical United Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau, has been working for five years with Ranford Hewitt, who leads a congregation in Jamaica.

The Carron Hall United Church will be transformed into a medical clinic for the week. Health screenings, vision checks, dental work and primary medical care, including some surgeries, are planned.

"The people in Jamaica have also asked us to do a lot of education while we are there," Horrell said.

While people are waiting to see a health professional they will have access to a variety of education programs. The nation has soaring problems with diabetes and high blood pressure, and education on prenatal care is needed, Horrell explained.

"We will have four working days," she explained. "We have been told to expect people literally lining up out the door before we arrive."

For two of the days the team will travel to remote villages about 20 miles from the Carron Hall church. Because the area around the Carron Hall church is basically a rural, farming village, many of the people have never seen a doctor.

The team is relying on donations to make the trip possible. Medical supplies and other items have been arriving, but a wish list remains including bandages, gallon-sized Ziplock bags, trash bags, vitamins for children, adults and prenatal vitamins, over-the-counter pain and fever medicines and over-the-counter cold medicines, especially cough drops and cough syrup. They also need alcohol, peroxide and antibiotic ointments.

Necessary items that are not donated must be purchased, Horrell explained.

A benefit dinner will be held March 12 at the A.C. Brase Arena in Cape Girardeau. A buffet dinner, live and silent auctions and a dance will be held. All proceeds will go to help fund the trip.

Scheduled to participate: Dr. Scott Gibbs, acting medical director; Dr. Jon Thomas, ob-gyn; Dr. Pat Ruopp, dentist; Kathleen McGill, dental assistant; Dr. Craig DeLeon, anesthesiologist and optometrist; Steve Botwinski, pharmacist; Roy Rogers, respiratory therapist; nurses Ann Albrecht, Hope Botwinski, Joy Meyer, Gwen Maloney, Karen George, Karen Horrell, and Maggie Schuch; Dorinda Abbott, Clara Sitze, Barbara Smith, Patrica Simms, Mark Albrecht, Scott Horrell, Ann DeLeon, and the Rev. James Caughlin and family.