Demerara Rotary organises South Sophia medical outreach

Seventy-five South Sophia residents benefited from a number of medical services when the Rotary Club of Demerara, in partnership with the Mercy Wings Vocational and Day Care Centre and the Health Ministry hosted an outreach exercise on Sunday.

The combined team offered services in the areas of chronic illnesses and dentistry.

According to a press release from the Rotary Club, this latest initiative is in keeping with District Governor Tony Watkins’s appeal to all clubs in District 7030 to design and implement programmes aimed at increasing awareness on the growing number of diabetic cases within the region.

The Club accepted the request and in September initiated its first undertaking with the support of the ministry, which resulted in the production of a documentary that is to be featured in the mainstream media and via social networks. The first version of the documentary has already been presented to the Ministry, it said.

The Club noted that medical outreaches have formed a critical part of its annual community programmes in its quest to provide service to those most in need.

Dr Gavenish Persaud and Dr Shawn Bancroft both volunteered their services for Sunday’s exercise along with nurses Tucker, Williams and Richards and final year medical student Mandy Kooseram.

The nurses’ team conducted chronic diseases awareness sessions with residents, which was followed by thorough medical check-ups by the doctors, after which those in need received medication for diabetes and hypertension. Dental services were provided by Demerara Rotarian Dr Debra Patterson-Skeete and her team.

The team and the Club will continue to collaborate on future medical outreaches. One has already been planned for the community of Tenabu, Demerara River on June 19, the release said.