Tony Kelly’s write-up on the Jamaican diabetes tour 1st May – 3rd June 2026.
After staying overnight at Gatwick Hilton Hotel on 30th April 2026 from my home in Birmingham, I made the over nine-hour British Airways flight from Gatwick Airport South Terminal to Norman Manley Airport, Kingston for the aforementioned diabetes tour which was initially scheduled for November 2025, during diabetes month. However, it was postponed due to hurricane Melissa having caused such havoc and destruction on the island. This was my third diabetes awareness tour to Jamaica having at my own expense done so in November 2022 and 2024. I specifically wanted to visit during the mango season as growing up in St. Thomas I really love mangoes which cost a fortune when air freighted to Britain from Jamaica. Several of my friends and relatives throughout my stay generously brought mangoes of every description but I made sure not to overindulge as conscious of the fact that as fruits with natural sugar (fructose) one needs to be mindful of that with or without diabetes. I made sure to do some physical activity such as walking and swimming in two pools at friend’s homes as burning up the calories is of paramount importance instead of sedentary lifestyle. My hostess was impressed with my daily intake of water as I aim to drink two litres per day. It was hot whilst there and one must replenish the bodily fluids of perspiration and urination with water. I hasten to add NOT the sweet or fizzy drinks which whilst out, I noticed was the norm.
This trip was indeed special as the Jamaica Medical Foundation whose chair Orville Johnson heard about my outreach work on health and well-being in relation to diabetes through one of my Mico College batchmates, Franklin Johnson (no relation) along with the planning group rolled out the ‘red carpet’ treatment all the way. For that I am truly thankful. My air fare was paid by Guardian Group (main sponsors) and partners Cari-Med Group, Ministry of Health and Wellness, The Mico Foundation and National Health Fund contributing accordingly to make this a really positive experience for the participants.
The diabetes launch on the 3rd May was held at my alma mater Mico Teachers’ College in Kingston with a diverse range of speakers and I being the special guest presenter. A reporter from the Jamaica Observer a national newspaper covered the launch a couple days later. The launch was followed by two other events in Mandeville at the Manchester Parish Church Hall on 14th May and another on 29th May at Harmony Beach Park, Montego Bay as part of the Ministry of Health and Wellness outreach programme for senior citizens. At all events I distributed Diabetes UK literature shipped in advance courtesy of Beverly Johnson of JLB Shipping in West Bromwich and gave away skipping ropes and bouncing balls as prizes which I had purchased in England. That approach was to encourage youngsters and adults alike to put down the cell/mobile phone and be more active as I am a firm believer in being physically active.
At the launch, having met Professor Errol Morrison who is well known throughout the Caribbean and beyond as an expert on diabetes, he extended an invitation to visit the Jamaica Diabetes Centre at 1 Downer Avenue, Kingston. There are several photos on my website gallery of that establishment including a gym and the wonderful work being done by his dedicated team. He kindly gave me a signed copy of his autobiography Growing Tall – Pursuing Excellence which makes fascinating reading and comes highly recommended as a former teacher of English in Kingston high schools.
A radio interview on Gerry McDaniel show, Radio Jamaica 94 FM along with Orville Johnson and another on Beyond The Headlines hosted by Dionne Jackson-Miller were included in the itinerary, whilst a town crier was used in radio adverts to increase promotion and publicity for the Mandeville event.
Having grown up in White Hall, St. Thomas a trip to Bath about ten miles away, where most of my relatives originate from with the world-famous Bath Fountain Mineral Spa and Bath Botanical Gardens was undertaken, staying overnight with a cousin in Prospect after another cousin along with his wife drove me there from their home in Southfield, St. Elizabeth. A visit to Bath should be on everyone’s bucket list and of course I made the two-minute walk up the hill where the naturally hot, therapeutic spring is well known for its high concentration of dissolved sulphur as well as lime and magnesium which gushes freely from the rocks and soaked my body to the max. I slept like a baby for the next few days.
Apart from the official tour three additional diabetes awareness events took place. The first being at St. Boniface Anglican Church, Harbour View where I had been on a previous occasion. As usual this was well received. The second was organized by Dr Yvonne Archer-Campbell (a Mico batchmate) at Linstead for Jamaica Pentecostal Union (Apostolic) and Missionaries Outreach Ministries International St. Catherine. This was well attended with a large number also joining online. The third event was at Bethel Baptist Church, Half-Way-Tree where Professor Errol Miller the principal of Mico Teachers’ College during my second year was instrumental in securing a successful hybrid presentation. All three organisers gave me gifts which were graciously received. Having done two separate presentations at Church of the Ascension, Mona, Kingston in 2022 and 2024 arrangements were made to attend a Sunday service where I was presented with a plaque as a thank-you by Sheila Hoosang my friend of over 50 years. I gave a brief thank you speech.
World-renowned Devon House ice cream sold island-wide was eaten by me at Devon House in Kingston and is always a ‘must have’ whilst visiting Jamaica as the quality, taste and flavours are truly exceptional. Again I must stress such a treat is ‘once in a blue moon’ as one must be mindful of as my grandmother used to say ‘Too much of one thing is good for nothing’.
I am eternally grateful to friends and relatives who took me to various restaurants in Kingston and Port Royal for brunch, lunch and dinner or entertained at their home as we renewed acquaintances. Thanks too to Basil Dawkins who gave me complimentary tickets for his play A Rose of Sharon at the Little Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue on the very weekend it was closing.
I extend heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to my hosts Mr and Mrs Simpson who generously accommodated me and Dr Bongelo Gombele and his wife Karen who I also spent a couple of days with. Their hospitality was first-class and reminded me of what Jamaicans are known for.
This review could not be complete without mentioning my experience of a visit to the parish of St. Mary as I was always under the impression that it was mainly coastline, beaches and hotels on the north coast based on visits to those areas. However on a visit to Friendship Gap via Stony Hill, Junction and Castleton Botanical Gardens I witnessed some of the most breath-taking scenery that parish has to offer. The flora, fauna, vegetation and forestry are Mother Nature at is best and I am so glad to have experienced it. I cannot stop talking about it!!
The Jamaica Medical Foundation planning group treated me to lunch at the Peppa Thyme restaurant in Kingston where Joan McDonald, Miss Jamaica World 1978 who also attended the launch, joined us (see photo gallery). Sumptuous food was also served at the famous Pelican Restaurant in Montego Bay, my first visit although it has been in existence for over 50 years and I had a wonderful breakfast buffet at the insurance head office in Cross Roads along with a final presentation on the morning of my departure from the island. These pleasant memories and the hospitality will stay with me for a long time and I hope the participants who were able to attend in person or listen online to any of the diabetes presentations will put in to practice some of the advice offered as Jamaica like most of the Caribbean need to heed the health and well-being message. It would be good if other countries follow the lead of the Jamaica Medical Foundation which had the presence of mind and foresight to engage me and invite people with their lived experience to share how they manage the medical condition, type two diabetes as knowledge in power.
Tony Kelly
Diabetes Ambassador/Activist (Volunteer)
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