Day one of the USNS Comfort Medical Mission in T&T saw hundreds turn out to access a wide range of free medical services. And while many came out just to benefit from routine medical services, for some it was a chance to fill the gaps in the public healthcare system. Rynessa Cutting has more.
00:00By mid-morning, a few hundred people had gathered outside Napa for a chance to get free consultations and diagnostics, courtesy of the USNS comfort team.
00:11Some, however, came seeking medication and pharmaceuticals, said to be in short supply.
00:18We have challenges with insulin. We're not getting insulin in Trinidad, and the insulin, some of them expire.
00:26And I have to pay $202 for insulin. I do it out insulin for three months, and I get, like, what took?
00:36And it's very hard and very weak right now, and I don't know what this government's doing.
00:42The USNS clinic at Napa also has a pharmacy, boasting over 160 medications.
00:49So anyone that was prescribed any medications will come here and grab them.
00:52Typically, we bring more than we need, so as we're departing, we give those back to the host nation, Trinidad and Tobago, in this event, and you guys manage those and disperse them as you see fit.
01:06Cataract surgery and eye services are among the medical services highest in demand.
01:12One elderly lady detailed a troubling experience she had had at a public institution.
01:16The doctor told me I had cataract, and the cataract in the right eye was ready to be surgically taken out, the cataract, and the doctor told me how I have money to pay to get it done.
01:36And he have friends who will do it for me for $30,000.
01:40I said to him, Doc, I do have $0.50,000, and he just pressed his bell and said, next.
01:48Members of the public are advised that the surgery list was pre-approved by the Ministry of Health, and surgeries are already underway.
01:56However, walk-in services continue between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Napa until Saturday, August 9th on a first-come, first-served basis.
02:07Free adult medical services, women's health services, pediatric services, dental care, physical therapy, dermatology and optometry services are available.
02:19I reached into Port of Spain at 7 p.m. I followed instruction. I went through the line, and the officials from the ship from America, the soldiers and there, they came to the front, and I was standing very patiently, very quietly.
02:37I was selected. I came through the desk. I presented my ID, and then they took me inside. I saw the eye doctor.
02:46I came specifically to go check the eye doctor.
02:49Yes, if I, well, you know they have a process. If you've been checked out for one thing, you would have to go behind the line or come another day. To me, the process is good, yeah? Just be patient and be disciplined, and you will get through.
03:05Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
03:08Hello, good morning. How are you? Welcome back.
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