To help with the burden put on the healthcare system during the pandemic even with Government’s COVID-19 response, the T&T Red Cross Society started a free health clinic open to the public every Thursday.
“Red Cross is a place that serves all persons. It doesn’t matter where you are from, the type of community you come from,” president Jill Debourg said.
The Henry Dunant Health Clinic was established in April last year and provides free primary healthcare services.
Volunteer doctor Anthony Javed Machikan said it’s his way of giving back and making a difference by improving the lifestyles of those who visit the clinic.
“The reason why I volunteered was coming from my background in Tunapuna I saw that there are a lot of underprivileged individuals who will benefit a lot from getting seen by a doctor,” Dr Machikan said.
Not on the front line, Dr Machikan said a lot of healthcare staff are overburdened at this time and it’s difficult for them to volunteer so he was happy to lend his services.
But he cannot do it alone. The young doctor said they needed more volunteers, especially specialists.
He said this can allow them to attend to more people and open the clinic for more days.
“I am only two years out of medical schools if we had cardiologist, endovconolgists, a lot of surgeons on board I think we can make a huge difference to the population in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.
Debourg said more paediatricians and gynaecologists are also needed based on the type of patients they see coming in.
Another barrier the volunteers face is language and this because most of the attendees at the clinic are Venezuelan nationals.
“It’s a high barrier I’m trying to learn a little bit of Spanish but if we could get a lot more translators on board,” Machikan said.
Volunteer nursing assistant Jovelle Jordan, who screens the patients, said she uses google translate on her phone or hope that the patients come with some who speaks English.
“It hasn’t really been too much of a barrier because I have very specific questions to ask which they will understand,” she added.
Jordan said she’s just happy to help the Venezuelans or anyone who access the free health clinic.
“They have many cases where they can’t go to our public hospital and this is kind of like a last aspect to get themselves checked out,” she said.
Patient Michael Seabrun said his Venezuelan girlfriend, who is diabetic, visited the clinic and he came along for the check-up. He described the service as professional.
“Everybody is friendly…coming here she has the opportunity to feel safe,” he said.
He thanked the volunteers for their service.
Selwyn Johnetty, a former Coast Guard officer wanted to be added to the list of good Samaritans.
“I really wanted to do something with my life after being in the service,” he said.
Johnetty said he speaks Spanish so he can help with translation.
“I lived in Venezuela for two years while I was in the service and I was well received so I just want to reciprocate,’ he said.
The free clinic is located at 7A Fitzblackman Drive, Port of Spain and the T&T Red Cross Society can be contacted at 627-8215.
