THE Ministry of Health recently conducted a medical outreach to Wakenaam, at Maria’s Pleasure Primary School where hundreds of residents of the island took the opportunity to have medical checks done.

The outreach provided services such as general medical check up, visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA) screening, eye and blood pressure testing, and blood donation. Persons especially youths were educated on VIA screening and cervical cancer.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran told those gathered to access the services provided, that this outreach was a follow-up on one that was held recently on the island when a large team of Ministers and President Donald Ramotar were in Wakenaam carrying out several meetings. This further led to residents indicating that they needed medical services in the area.
“We have brought a large multi-service team here including VIA services…a very skilled eye testing team, and there are lots of them waiting in that particular room where eye testing is being done and they will be given the necessary recommendations up to and including referral to the Port Mourant National Ophthalmology Hospital for cataract surgery,” Minister Ramsaran said
Next week there will also be a medical outreach held in Leguan, and every month the Ministry will heighten its presence of doctors there.
“The influx of 500 new doctors trained by the PPP/C administration is allowing me to deliver more services to more people at more times, in more locations using more practitioners making it a reality,” Dr Ramsaran explained.
The Cottage Hospital in Wakenaam is also providing various services and there is a doctor serving residents.
A minibus was also donated to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) by the Ministry to transport persons on the island when activities are being carried out such as health outreaches.

While on the island the Minister took the opportunity to visit some patients at their homes. (GINA)