Two thousand St Mary residents recently benefited from free health care provided by a group of United States medical practitioners who were in the island on a 10-day medical mission.

The 50-member group, which has been visiting the island for the past 14 years, provided mental, dental and eye care services in several deep rural communities in the parish.

Dr Robert "Bob" Magee, organiser and team leader, told the Jamaica Observer North East that the group performed medical check-ups, and dental services such as extraction and fluoride treatments.

The group, he further explained, also provided eyeglasses and pharmaceutical items for some persons.

According to Dr Magee, the medical team tries to serve 2,500 patients each year and brings US$100,000 worth of medical supplies to Jamaica yearly.

This is in addition to the near US$500,000 it costs to stage the annual medical fairs in the island.

The team travelled to communities such as Freehill, Gayle, Retreat and Islington where they were warmly received by the residents.

"I feel good about it. They have done a good job," said Freehill resident Marsha Mattison.

Mattison who suffers from sinusitis added further, "I have been going there three years now and the medication that they give me work."

The group, while fully responsible for their own travelling expenses, said the medical mission was sponsored by the Rotary Club International and some local churches.

Although the team concluded the medical fairs on Thursday, some of the members took time out to visit the Iona High School on Friday.

The group also donated a three-wheel cart and a walker to two persons who needed the equipment to move around.