Advanced Health marks anniversary with all-day free public clinic

AdvanceD Health, a medical facility located at New Montrose along the Leeward highway celebrated its fifth anniversary with a free medical clinic on Saturday, April 30.

Patients of all ages were seen at the free clinic

Dr. Conrad Nedd, proprietor and medical director of Advanced Health who has been practising for about 25 years said because the anniversary fell on a Sunday, May 1 the decision was taken to do the clinic on the day preceding the anniversary.

A number of medical practitioners, including some from overseas gave their time and expertise in their area of speciality to this venture for the benefit of the patients.

Services offered on Saturday included HIV testing, Dentistry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, physiotherapy, psychology, Nutrition, ENT, Paediatrics, Reproductive and Sexual Health.

“We recognised the existence of vulnerable communities in our society who are in such need of medical care, and we acknowledge that these needs may have become exacerbated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 La Soufriere volcanic eruptions,” Dr Nedd told SEARCHLIGHT as he explained why they opted to offer a free clinic to the public.

“We acknowledge that the health and well-being of our nation is a shared responsibility, as we aim to assist members of our community through this endeavour.”

Dr. Nedd further noted: “Our mission is different from most of the other institutions,” adding that Advanced Health has a vibrant follow-up programme.
“Medical practice takes time. The proper practice of medicine takes time and there is no alternative… There is a proper way to practice as we were taught

in medical school, but some practitioners try to short circuit the process. Patient education and follow-up is an important part of what we do,” he emphasised.

A number of those who turned up at the clinic did not want to speak on record but they expressed their thanks for the free services provided by the health clinic.

A resident of Mesopotamia, Rita Baptiste said it was her first time attending the medical facility and, “I can tell you that although people do not want to talk I will say that today is very good for all of us who came here to see the doctors”.

A young
patient receiving a dental
examination

“I feel very happy with the way the doctor treated me. I am satisfied that my problem was looked into. Today I saved a lot of money and when I can pay, I will come back to see the doctor. GOD is always good and I pray that He blesses the doctor,” Baptiste said.

Her husband, Lyfe Baptiste who is experiencing problems with his eyes, also went so he could receive attention for his eye problems.
One of the overseas medical professionals who came to assist in the day’s activity, is Franz Jordan, a Health planner from Barbados. He told SEARCHLIGHT that he was here primarily to assist Dr. Nedd and his team in this community effort.

“My role is to assist with the patient triage process which includes intervention, taking of vitals, and referring the patients to their specialist according to their medical needs,” the medical professional shared.

“As a health planner my priority is to ensure that today’s exercise is managed in an efficient manner, and to ensure that everything is done in a safe environment. My interaction with the Nedd’s resulted in me coming to assist.”

Another professional who volunteered his time is Shaun Young, a Sonographer of SONO SVG. He told SEARCHLIGHT: “I have been working in this field as a professional since about 2006, specialising in ultrasounds and x-rays.”

He saw a few patients, took x-rays and ultrasounds as required by the doctors, using an internal network which was set up by the Advance Health IT person, portable x-ray and ultrasound machines which enabled the results to be received in about five minutes and uploaded to the network. The results were then accessed by the doctor to make the needed diagnosis on the patient’s problem.

The triage station where patient information and vitals were taken before they were seen by the doctors.

Dr. Joy Walter, a paediatrician who works at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital was also on the team of professionals at last Saturday’s open clinic.
She attended to a number of children whose parents/guardians made use of the free services on offer.

Her concerns are that the parents would ensure that they follow-up with the doctors after their children have been seen by the medical professional, and that they adhere to the medication prescribed and not make their own medical determination for their children which can and have negative results.

“Many parents need guidance in looking after the health needs of their children,” Dr. Walter said.

Saturday April 30, 2022 was a day that Dr. Nedd said was …” To give back selflessly, allow the patients to enjoy not just doctors speaking to them about their needs, but also educate them on their health needs so they can be better positioned to take care by the doctor to make the needed diagnosis on the patient’s problem.

Dr. Joy Walter, a paediatrician who works at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital was also on the team of professionals at last Saturday’s open clinic.
She attended to a number of children whose parents/guardians made use of the free services on offer.

Her concerns are that the parents would ensure that they follow-up with the doctors after their children have been seen by the medical professional, and that they adhere to the medication prescribed and not make their own medical determination for their children which can and have negative results.
“Many parents need guidance in looking after the health needs of their children,” Dr. Walter said.

Saturday April 30, 2022 was a day that Dr. Nedd said was …” To give back selflessly, allow the patients to enjoy not just doctors speaking to them about their needs, but also educate them on their health needs so they can be better positioned to take care of themselves, and enable them to leave the facility with a holistic understanding of the health process here.”