More medical relief for SVG health care

The local chapter of the Medical Relief Association (MRA) Inc, on Thursday, July 23, made much appreciated donations of medical supplies and prescription medicine to several health care facilities throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

At a brief handover ceremony, Chairperson of the MRA (local chapter) Fidel Caesar made presentations to representatives from Enhams Clinic, Bread of Life and Canouan Island Council (CIC), who accepted on behalf of the Canouan Clinic. The representatives were Nursing Assistant Theresa McLean, Angella Lewis, and CIC President Albert Ollivierre, respectively.

Despite not being present at the event, The Levi Latham Health Centre and The Central Medical Stores also received donations, which were brought to SVG courtesy of members of the United Hands Organisation from the USA.

Chairperson of the MRA (local chapter) Fidel Caesar expressed how pleased he was that the association had acquired the medical supplies and was able to distribute them to the relevant facilities. “We’re happy that we are able to acquire the supplies and pass (them) on to institutions that utilise them better than ourselves.”

Caesar related that several other donations are imminent. He explained that the MRA, which was founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organisation and is dedicated to improving the health and medical care of the less fortunate. As well as sourcing donations of medical supplies and equipment from foreign donors, the organisation brings in volunteer specialist teams of nurses and doctors from overseas to “provide free healthcare assistance to Vincentians… and conduct health screenings with an emphasis on prevention.”

The MRA has executed several successful ventures over the years, which include a collaboration with Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (Minnesota chapter) to provide “indigent persons” with eye examination services and free glasses; procured medical supplies donations on behalf of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) from the Caribbean Hospital Relief Fund; conducted training courses for locals in Occupational Safety and Health and Food Hygiene; and, with the assistance of the Project CURE surgical volunteer team from Arizona, numerous ear, throat and nose surgeries were carried out free of charge at the MCMH.

Additionally, Caesar shared that the organisation’s greatest challenge is sourcing volunteer medical professionals in speciality areas such as dermatology, cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, ophthalmology and endocrinology.

The MRA obtains funding through member subscriptions and fund-raising activities. Ereen Archibald, volunteer member of the MRA, was also present at the proceedings. (JSV)