Finance, Fundraising & Budgeting Committee

Submitted by: Dr. Lloyd Goldson (Chairman)

Members: Dr. Neville Graham

             Dr. William Brown

             Dr. Horatio Dunn

             Dr. Humphrey Lyn

             Dr. Lorenzo Gordon

The Finance, Fundraising and Budgeting Committee (FFBC) met three (3) times during the year under review.  Arising from these discussions were: 

1.       Dues collection

2.       The coordination of the financial aspects of the Annual Symposium and Awards Banquet

3.       The overall monitoring of the MAJ financial status

4.       Auditing of the accounts, and

5.       Maintenance of a tight fiscal management of the Medical Association of Jamaica.

The Finance Committee also organized the presentation of plaques to longstanding MAJ members for outstanding contribution to the Association which was done at the annual dinner and dance.

The Finance committee has made suggestions to the MAJ trust about donating funds to the Musgrave Girls Home that was recently burned down.

This year we will be placing an emphasis on the modernization of the MAJ headquarters and we will be participating in the investment of extra funds in the account and increased MAJ earnings from various projects. For example:

1.       Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) mortgage plan

2.       Income Replacement  with American Home Assurance Company

3.       Blue Cross Plan

4.       Travel Club

5.       Christmas Dinner and Dance

6.       The Annual Symposia

Ethics & Constitutional Reform Committee

Submitted by: Dr. Winston De La Haye (Chairman)

We have a duty to ensure that all physicians in Jamaica practice the tenets of medical ethics, thereby protecting our patients and ourselves. The Ethics and Constitutional Reform Committee of the Medical Association of Jamaica has collaborated with the Medical Council in making available our completed Ethics Guidelines for dissemination to our colleagues throughout Jamaica.

We continue to support the MAJ system of “Three Wise Men” for each region as an effective method of intervention with issues and complaints involving medical practitioners in Jamaica.

More recently the Ethics Committee’s attention has been drawn to alleged sick leave related issues as they impact on Jury duties in Jamaica. A response has been submitted to our President, Dr. Bailey, including recommendations aimed at resolving any potential issue with sick leave certificates and jury duties.

Impaired Physicians & Wellness Committee

Dr. Blossom Anglin Brown (Chairperson)

MEMBERS:

Dr. Blossom Anglin-Brown                Chairperson

Dr. Quida Golding-Beecher

Dr. Franklyn LaHee

Dr. Wendel Abel

Dr. Marjorie Kerr

Dr. Charlotte Bedasse

Dr. Barbara Salmon

Dr. Guyan Arscott

ACTIVITES

A seminar for medical practitioners was held at the Knutsford Court Hotel. This was poorly attended as doctors had to be deployed across the country in response to a malaria outbreak. Those who attended found the meeting very stimulating. Dr. Barbara Johnson was honoured in absentia for her sterling contribution to this committee.

A second seminar was held in Mandeville at the invitation of the Mandeville chapter of the Association. This was extremely well attended and the discussions vibrant. There were over 100 participants.

MEETINGS

Three formal meetings were held but there were difficulties in involving members outside of Kingston. The meetings were interactive and strategies discussed for the future. Important links were made with the medical school at Mona.

CHALLENGES

Many problems were identified in this group. There is an obvious urgent need to work with our medical students and younger graduates. The Main issues noted were:

·         Alcohol and substance abuse

·         Major depression

·         Martial discord

·         Bereavement

·         Burn-Out

WAY FORWARD

·         Fundraising efforts must be increased and supported

·         Support of international colleagues who worked in the area

·         Continued sensitization of the profession in the area of wellness for themselves

Education Committee

Dr. Roger Smith (Chairman)

We have a duty to ensure that all physicians in Jamaica are given the opportunity for quality continuing medical education. Data suggest that the epidemiology of disease in the Caribbean and Jamaica is changing. And we have all noticed a slow but continual increase in the prevalence of chronic medical conditions attributable to cardiovascular disease and cancer. The theme of our upcoming symposium therefore reflects this epidemiologic shift and aims to bring the membership up to date on the treatment options available for our increasingly aging population. As the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and cancer continues to increase appropriate screening and intervention will define our future approach to management.

The education committee has submitted guidelines for the management of asthma for which we are currently seeking sponsorship. We have approached a broad range of sponsors however we are awaiting a response. Our deadline for formal issuing of the guidelines remains December of 2007. 

MAJ Special Projects Committee
Submitted by Dr. Sandra Knight (Coordinator)

Over the last year, MAJ has reconnected with one of its mandate by establishing links with well-organised outreach projects. We have also participated in several forums where we felt that our contribution made a difference. Thanks to our members who have taken the time out to go and take care of the less fortunate and who have unwaveringly championed the cause of the needy and the less fortunate. The projects mentioned below need continued support and we plead to our members to volunteer for the worthy cause of your choice.

Special Olympics - In the past eight months our doctors have participated in three Special Olympics health fairs in which they gave free medical care to scores of disabled children across the island. Many of these individuals received needed help towards continued rehabilitation in order to be able to participate in assigned sporting activities.

The Women’s Centre - We are currently in need of two medical doctors the do fortnightly clinics at the women’s centre on Trafalgar road. The physician who currently runs the clinic will not be able to do so as of the end of September 2006 as she will be furthering her studies. Members will have an opportunity to hone their counselling skills and of course lend medical assistance to teenagers who are pregnant and other youths who are socially displaced.

Diocese of Jamaica - (Hospice for street children) the first of seven interagency meeting was held July 6th and MAJ fully participated, formulating recommendations for the way forward. The hospice offers food, counselling, and skills training to many street children in the corporate area. The outreach officers of the St. Andrew Care centre visits the core of street kid at midnight on selected days. This gives participants further insight into the lives of children on the street. MAJ would like to continue being a part of this. Thanks to our brave member who has participated so far. The second meeting was held on September 22, 2006, and although MAJ was not represented there, we hope to be at the next one, which is September 28.

RESCUE - Takes on the challenges of socially unadjusted young people and attempt to get them back into a productive mode. The volunteers go island wide and conduct health fairs, and go into schools to give health education and counselling. We will be requesting participation of more of our physicians in this project.

Missionaries for the poor - This is one of our newer projects and most of the activities will be at the Bethlehem children’s home on North Street. MAJ hopes to be able to provide a Dermatologist, Physiotherapist and paediatrician to attend the home at least once per month. We already have a physiotherapist that is willing and a general practitioner who has expressed interest. We are awaiting word form the Dermatologists whom we have contacted. Brother Camilo is very anxious to have us start these visits on a regular basis.

We lent our voices to forums where we discussed women’ issues, HIV/AIDS, human trafficking and not to forget the PR opportunity that was offered to us when we spoke at the open day of the Medical school, University of the West Indies.

Our members whole hearted did health checks at the Mamby Bay Baptist Church, Bethel Church of God, and spoke on the “good and evil” of menopause at the Bethesda Gospel Hall in Mandeville.

We teamed up with Jamaica National to provide gifts and great food for almost two hundred (200) children at “The Christmas Extravaganza” held at the Community Health Centre, University of the West Indies.

At this time, we are very excited to be working on “extra special” project in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, Ministry Of Health and the MAYO clinic in Minnesota, U.S.A. You will be hearing much more about this in the upcoming months! For now, please contact our secretariat or the assistant treasure to participate in any one of the projects outlined previously. We need more volunteers and we need them now! Looking forward to hearing from you.