| The Trinidad Guardian, Friday, February 27, 2004
Free check-ups for Diego residents – Public clinic launched
Avalene Harris
BEFORE he headed in to work yesterday, Health Minister John Rahael had his blood pressure checked. He was examined by a nurse who is part of a public clinic set up in Blue Basin, Diego Martin, by the Rotary Club of Diego Martin and the Mary A. Tidlund Charitable Foundation of Canada. “He made good use of the facilities before he headed out to start his hectic day in the life of a Minister,” a representative of the club said yesterday, after Rahael had left the Beausejours Community Centre, where the clinic is stationed until March 5th. The pilot project was formulated by Tidlund, who plans to hold clinics in other parts of Diego Martin - Crystal Stream, La Puerta Avenue, Simeon Road, Union Roads – next year. “The foundation’s motto, ‘Caring, Sharing, Giving and Receiving’ is all about focusing on the medical, dental and educational programmes which are offered to citizens of Trinidad, in keeping with good health care,” Tidlund said. “I have been assisting in fund-raising ventures and also help get support from major organisations and volunteers,” she added. “I have learnt so much while growing up and I want to give back what I have received.” The club’s international community committee chairman Inez Sinanan, an Aligco general manager, said she was happy that her organisation had twinned with the foundation to form the project. She said the project is a joint effort between community and internationally based. “We all linked because persons from overseas care to do community based work,” she said. “Routine check-ups will be available at the clinic,” she added. Sinanan said although check-ups will be available at the clinic, no surgery will be done. “Once the doctors have seen and assessed the patients, if they are in need of surgery, they will be referred elsewhere,” she said. Doctors including Dr Anthony Ferdinand, Dr Rudy Ricki and ophthalmologist Jesse Jaggernauth have supported the project. Dentist Alister Martin will also be part of the clinic’s team. Sinanan said an expected 600 to 800 people are likely to visit the clinic. “The people in the area have responded well to the call. They are very appreciative that such a clinic was brought into their community,” she said. The clinic offers free check-ups to Blue Basin Road and neighbouring residents. What the Public clinic offers Services available at the clinic from Monday-Saturday (8.30 am to 4.30 pm) are: • blood pressure, blood sugar testing and cholesterol testing; • dental and eye checks and examinations lectures on quality health care; • women’s health care (birth control, pap smears, pregnancy testing, etc.) and • HIV/AIDS lectures. • Lectures on quality health care. |