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CCNTV6
  • 4 months ago
The Medical Mission, Hands International, has arrived in T&T... and their work began today at the Community Hospital of Seventh Day Adventists.

The group is conducting surgeries and other specialist services for those among the vulnerable population in the country.

Alicia Boucher tells us more.
Transcript
00:01120 medical professionals, mainly from the United States, are in the country as part of HENS International,
00:08a medical mission committed to giving back to people around the world.
00:11Monday was called it to be busy as the group got to work at the community hospital of Seven Day Adventists,
00:18where people would have received free health care across a sphere of specialties.
00:22Director of Strategic Partnership at the hospital Samuel Sanka says,
00:26the information on how people can access the health services was sent out via different platforms,
00:32and the response has been overwhelming.
00:35As of now, we are oversubscribed.
00:37We have over 8,000 persons registered, waiting to do surgeries, procedures, seek medical attention.
00:45We're doing hernia, we're doing ophthalmology, we're doing a whole lot of things.
00:49Later on, in the month of August, we're doing 2,000 cataract surgeries free,
00:54and they're all funded by HENS International.
00:57Local doctors have also partnered with the mission.
01:01Sanka says part of the goal is to reduce some of the load within the public health care system,
01:06and we're told that some patients were actually referred from the regional health authorities.
01:11It's a labor of love on the part of HENS International.
01:15We're delighted to have them.
01:16They are paying their own fees, and they are paying their own way, heads and beds, increased tourism,
01:23and even medical tourism as well.
01:25The mission, led by Trinidadian-born Dr. Steve Agard, runs from July 21st to July 24th.
01:32Dr. Elliot Lightman came in from Delaware, and it's his first time visiting TNT.
01:38Most of us are from the East Coast of the United States.
01:40I'm an orthopedic surgeon.
01:42I take care of musculoskeletal issues, including joint reconstruction, fractures.
01:47Dr. Michael Taylor, co-founder and vice president of the Health and Nutrition Association,
01:52says the medical mission aligns with the mandate of the non-profit organization,
01:57and it is happy for the partnership.
01:59And we are so excited at what this can actually bring to Trinidad and to Bego
02:05in regards to reducing the burden of entities in our country
02:09and giving people the care that they are moving.
02:11The Diabetes Association is also on board with the initiative.
02:16The community hospital states that there will be other opportunities over the next 20 days
02:21for people who didn't get to enroll.
02:24Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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