United States-based SEARCHLIGHT columnist, Dr Anita Ramsetty, is back home this week for an education and medical mission.{{more}}

Dr Ramsetty will be joining a medical team from the John’s Hopkins Medical Centre which will be visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a Diabetic Limb Preservation/Foot Assessment and Education Medical Mission.

“I am honored to be a part of this team and mission which was the brainchild of founder Ann Lee-Wilkins. A native Vincentian and nurse herself, Lee-Wilkins noted the unfortunately high incidence of diabetes in her home country several years ago, and she mobilized her efforts.

“She and several colleagues at Johns Hopkins traveled to St.Vincent initially in 2009 as the first medical mission trip under the auspices of her non-profit foundation the Patsy Douglas Youth Empowerment Foundation. After successes during that initial trip, a return trip was planned for this year,” Dr Ramsetty told SEARCHLIGHT.

The nine-day medical mission, which will include diabetes education, will focus on foot and limb care and screening for an observational study that will follow a specific group of patients over several years.

Clinics will be held in Bequia, Georgetown, Mespo, Kingstown and Layou. According to Dr. Ramsetty, the focus will be on teaching related to foot care and general diabetes management.

A panel discussion hosted by Andrew Cummings on a radio call in show will be held on Sunday, April 18.

“We are excited about this trip home and look forward to meeting many of you, answering your questions and working with your own medical team towards a common goal of keeping you healthy, both now and in the long run,” Dr Ramsetty said.

She also expressed thanks to the Ministry of Health for their assistance with making the trip possible.