By: Roslyn A. Douglas, M.A., CC - Founder, Central Health - Grenada
Despite the intermittent rain, approximately 75 residents
of St. David’s lined up for a free diabetic clinic, spearheaded by the Perdmontemps
Diabetic Group of the St. David’s Branch of the Grenada Diabetes
Association. This outreach programme
which took place on Saturday November 19, 2016, was organized as the group’s diabetes
awareness month outreach activity, and to respond to the International Diabetes
Federation’s (IDF) mandate of “promoting the importance of screening to ensure
early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious
complications.”
The
St. David’s Branch of the Grenada Diabetes Association partnered with the Student
National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter of St. George’s University (SGU) to
conduct glucose testing, foot examination, blood pressure screenings and eye
examinations. The 2016 SGU SNMA Diabetes Clinic Examination Detail, submitted
to the organizers prior to the event, stated that the foot exam would entail
inspecting the patients’ legs and feet for ulcers, discoloration and other
abnormalities. Additionally, it would include checks for peripheral vascular
disease; sensory neuropathy assessment and lower extremity reflexes. The eye
testing, encompassed the use of Snellen’s Acuity Charts, and checking the
patients’ eyes for range of field vision.
President for the SNMA chapter of SGU, Chibuzo
Ohanaja was pleased with the free diabetic clinic event, “Through this clinic
we are hoping to establish access to a primary health care prevention outlet
for the Grenadian community, that can hopefully not only educate people but
also save many people from developing life changing complications of
diabetes.” Vice President Gaelle Antoine
was grateful for the practical experience, “After spending so many hours
studying, it felt great to finally apply the knowledge accumulated over the
last two years to help the Grenadian community.”
One of the two doctors from SGU
responsible for supervising the 20 SNMA student doctors, and counseled patients
at the end of their screening process also shared positive sentiments, “It was
a thing of joy seeing students engage patients with great tenacity and empathy.
One encounter left a lasting impression on me; the student actually rested the
patient’s foot on his thigh and was meticulously checking for any signs of
infection and injury. It was a great display of love and affection,” said Dr.
Charles Chinonyerem Ihedioha (MBBS) of SGU’s School of Medicine.
Also
joining the students were two interns from Quebec Canada’s McGill
University. They were requested to join
the event by their host, the Grenada Diabetes Association (GDA). Level 4 Dietetic student Rosemary Statkus
found the experience educational, “I learned a great deal about the local
population and culture. That eating
vegetables is difficult for many people because they are so expensive; that having
a garden is quite common; that many people eat too much staples and don’t
exercise enough. This clinic would be a
great experience for dietetic interns in the future.”
President for the Perdmontemps Diabetic Group Bernadine St.
Bernard hopes the group can offer the clinic again next year, “I would love to
do it again next year. I found it very
good. The students were very good at
reaching out to the people. Very caring,” said St. Bernard. Public Relations Officer for Diabetic Group Mrs.
Catherine Annetta George, was impressed with the McGill University interns, “A
lot of people learned a lot especially after coming out of the different
stations,and especially from the nutritionists.” George added,” That part was
very informative.”
Along
with coordination efforts provided by Central Health – Grenada, this free
diabetic clinic would not have been possible without generous in-kind gifts.
Donations and in-kind gifts were as follows: Communal Co-operative Credit Union
- Perdmontemps Branch allowed the event to take place in their parking lot;
Lancets and glucose testing strips were donated by Hills & Valley Pharmacy,
Mitchell Health and Wellness Pharmacy, St. David’s Pharmacy, and True Blue
Pharmacy; Medical supplies were provided by Gabriel’s Pharmacy; Aqua Natural
Limited a company that believes due to their rigorous purification process
their water is ideal for patients with chronic diseases donated 120 bottles of
water; Bryden & Minors provided free printing of promotional material; St.
Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church loaned organizers tables and chairs; Annett
Antoine ensured crowd control and also provided table cloths; SGU erected a
tent to cover the tables; Dr. Ogboghodo Osaruonamen Augustine,
the second physician present supervised the SNMA students; Natallia
Gurenko Level 4 Dietetics Student of McGill University, provided nutritional
advice to the patients; and volunteer Mrs.
Barbara Brathwaite of the Grenada National Patient Kidney
Foundation (GNPKF) assisted with the patient check out process.
It is the goal of the St. David’s Branch of the Grenada
Diabetes Association to repeat the programme in November 2017. Before the end of
the year the organizers and the SNMA’s Executive plan to meet to discuss
lessons learned from the event. One
major decision made already for the 2017 event will be to locate an enclosed
facility within the parish. This has
proven to be necessary as this year’s intermitted showers of rain became
problematic for everyone under the tent and those standing in line.
Part II of this article will highlight the data gathered from the intake forms submitted by the attendees.
