b'ALIGNMENT FEATUREStrategic MyexperiencevolunteeringintheCOVID-19StudentResponsehasbeenlife changing and absolutely unforgettable. Truly, being able to assist my country during one of the most unsure times in global history helped to better shape my perspective Partnerships of what it means to be a doctor in the future. theKendra Lee, Student Leader (left)Call Centre VolunteersI would like to extend my gratitude for being a part ofthisinitiative,workingalongsideUWIand Government of Jamaica to help ease the burden of March 10, 2020 marked the beginning ofhandsondecktobattlethisunseenCovid-19 in our country. This experience has been lifechangingandthoughitpresenteditsmany an unprecedented period in Jamaicasscourge.ThisledtotheMinistryofchallenges, I can confidently say none of it has been history when the first case of COVID-19HealthandWellness(MOHWs)callin vain. I have learnt invaluable lessons during my time here at the UWI/MOHW Call Center which I will was diagnosed. With the effects of thefor volunteers that included a requestcarry with me throughout my entire medical career. pandemic clear for all to see via variousfortheinvolvementoftheFacultyof Kaedi Burke, Student Leader (right)mediaplatforms,JamaicaneededallMedical Sciences.Over the 6 months of this initial engagement, over 130 volunteers were engaged with some 16,000 volunteer hours 84 contributing invaluable service to Jamaicas COVID fight.85This call was answered, initially by students in thetheMOHWsquarantineappandmakecall-backs MBBS programme on March 20, 2020 and was laterto members of the public who called the MOHWs extended to all other schools in the FMS, however,COVIDhotline,theirroleevolvedintohelpingthe the MBBS students accounted for most volunteers.public for a wide range of health and social issues. Afterpreparatorywork,TheUWI/MOHWHealthTheirtenurebeganwithabacklogofover7000 Corps initiative officially began operation on April 6,calls, which were brought up to date in less than 2020 with 70 volunteers.The operations took place2 months. Students also assisted in various health withinthealreadyestablishedCallCentreonthedepartments,NationalEmergencyOperations Mona Campus, which required some programmingCentre and the National Epidemiology Unit. andnetworkingtofitwithintheMOHWsnational operation. Over the 6 months of this initial engagement, over 130 volunteers were engaged with some 16,000 volunteer ThestudentsplayedvaryingrolesinthesuccesshourscontributinginvaluableservicetoJamaicas of this programme such as call agents, floor/ shiftCOVID fight. They handled over 31,000 calls whilst supervisors, and human resources personnel amonggarnering more hands-on experience enhancing their others, under the supervision of a coordinator Dr.formal medical school training as well as achieving TanaRicketts-RoomesaClinicianandmemberthesatisfactionofknowingthattheywereavery offaculty.TheypreparedstandardoperatingimportantpartofJamaicasCOVID-19response. procedures and documents after being trained byThey also gained real life training in the non-medical Answering a call to actionThe UWI/MOHW Health Corps Volunteer Programme the MOHW. While their initial mandate was to serviceaspects of such an operation.ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20 Realigning our Resources with Resilience and Resourcefulness'