The Rotary Club of St Vincent conducted an unprecedented Village Doctor Programme on the weekend, visiting three shelters that house victims of the Christmas disaster.{{more}}

Fifteen doctors attended more than 150 persons from the shelters and two of the communities that were affected, when a trough system caused heavy rains and flooding on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, last year.

Though Village Doctor programmes have taken place in the past, this is the first time the organization has tackled more than one area in a day.

Heading out from the Russells Complex on Sunday morning in a convoy of vehicles, the physicians made their first stop at the Rilland Hill emergency shelter, where individuals and families, who were initially sheltered at the Buccament Bay Secondary School, have been relocated.

More than half of the 21 residents at the shelter were seen.

The team then journeyed to Spring Village, where flood victims housed at the Community Centre, as well as persons in the area, were seen at the primary school across the street.

The final leg of the moving medical fleet landed at the Rose Bank Community Centre, where again children and adults were treated for various ailments, and medical questions answered.

Patients at all locations were given free medication where necessary, donated by Shepherd’s Trading, and vouchers to visit some doctors at a later date if required.

The team also donated water, mattresses, pillows, clothes and toys at the locations.

President of the Rotary Club of St Vincent Earl Tash said the venture was a joint effort with the other Rotary clubs in St Vincent (Rotary Club South and Rotary Club of Bequia), through a disaster relief committee.

He said other individuals and groups were also responsible for the effort. These include the Rotary Club of Chaguanas, Max and Charles Brisbane of St Kitts, Mr and Mrs Ben Jack, K’lon Samuel of Brooklyn, New York, and Violetta Alvarez, a homeowner in Mustique.

Doctors and medical assistants who participated in the exercise included Drs Francois Truchot, St Clair Thomas, Miriam Sheridan, Conrad Nedd, B. Aussie, J. Wilson, J. Ibrahim, Amrie Morris-Patterson, A. Reymann, S. Hazell, with assistance from C. Mingo, C. Small, S. Cameron, J. Reymann and Kaushala Nedd.

A follow-up session is expected to take place on the windward side of the island in the near future.(JJ)