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14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Health
Project C.U.R.E. holds successful mission by GLORIAH… A TEAM from Project C.U.R.E., the world’s largest distributor of donated medical supplies and equipment to
healthcare facilities in resource-limited communities across the world, conducted a medical mission here on the grounds of the St. Vincent Grammar School,
Visual acuity and further optical examinations were conducted by the medical team.
The team of visiting and local persons who organized and delivered service during the medical mission. between Thursday, 15th and Sunday, 18th August.
Project C.U.R.E.’s visit was made possible Who is project C.U.R.E. through an invitation from the local Medical Project C.U.R.E. is a Relief Association, not-for-profit headed by Fidel Caesar. organisation started in The team comprised 1987 by Dr James medical doctors, nurses, Jackson. Its primary respiratory technicians, purpose is the delivery of physical therapy “health and hope to the technicians, one world”. It does this counsellor, and other through two formats: non-medical helpers. programmes of gathering These were joined by surplus medical supplies local personnel in the and equipment and medical field. They distributing them to included, Dr. Orly places in need; and the Adams, ophthalmologist; supply of medical teams Dr. Niki Lewis, to such places. Thus far, gynaecologist; Dr. Project CURE has served Caroline, a gynaecologist; over 130 countries Dr. Ossie Berry, general around the world. surgeon; Ramona Solomon, a medical Team and helpers student at the Trinity
School of Medicine; and a pharmacist, Mr Jones. The SVG Police Force also put on a display of narcotics and other illegal drugs.
Services offered According to Mr Caesar, the mission functioned as a health screening project. It was organised to check persons’ general health and medical issues. After medical consultations with patients, the team conducted tests in the following areas: blood sugar, blood pressure, rapid HIV testing, urine analysis, EKG, ultrasounds, peak flow monitoring for asthma, administering nebulized medication, and pulmonary function. Health education was also provided, with team members going through asthma education, stress management, and nutrition counselling. Height and weight checks were also conducted, and fluoride treatment given to children for the hardening of their teeth. Team leader, Dr Paul Scott, when asked about the incidence of the chronic noncommunicable diseases of hypertension and diabetes among patients turning up at the mission, told THE VINCENTIAN that the cases they saw had not reached the stage of amputees, but many did not know that they had the disease. He reported that it appeared uncontrolled, all patients manifesting chronic overweight.
Dr Paul Scott, team leader of the visiting medical team.
Fidel Caesar, local coordinator of the medical mission. When they were questioned, he added, they revealed that their diet consisted of too much starch, like rice, pasta and potatoes. These patients, he said, were sat down and given explanations about what was happening to them and why. It was reported that about 300 persons were seen within the four days of the mission.