Marginalized people in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 street community have another resource for receiving medical treatment, with a new van-based clinic launched recently in the city.
Doctors of the World Canada, an offshoot of Doctors Without Borders, has teamed with Telus to expand its mobile outreach program into Victoria. Doctors of the World has operated a successful mobile health clinic program in Montreal since 2014.
Working with community partners and volunteer health care professionals, the organization will operate the Telus Health for Good-sponsored van, stocked with enough equipment and supplies to look after a wide range of health-related scenarios.
The van and its lead volunteers were introduced to the public this week, but the unit previously paid a visit to Our Place, where communications director Grant McKenzie said the new service has been appreciated by family members.
B次元官网网址淭he mobile health clinicB次元官网网址檚 ability to pull up outside Our Place and treat people who are limited in their access to proper care is fantastic,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he van is state of the art and the nurses genuinely care for the people they treat. Sexually transmitted disease is a sad consequence of street life, and having a private space for treatment is not only welcome, but essential.B次元官网网址�
The vehicle has two main areas: one is for patient reception and nursing care, the other includes an examination table and doctorB次元官网网址檚 workstation, with equipment for providing such functions as routine testing, contraception, STI treatment, harm reduction services and mental health care and counselling.
B次元官网网址淒octors of the WorldB次元官网网址檚 mandate is to promote access to health for all,B次元官网网址� said executive director Nadja Pollaert. B次元官网网址淚n Montreal as well as in Victoria, this can only be a successful initiative thanks to the great collaboration with our community partners. All together we share a common objective: to bring health care to the most vulnerable people wherever they are.B次元官网网址�
TelusB次元官网网址� connections to technology helps make this van state of the art, with electronic medical record capability and constant connection to Telus LTE Wi-Fi network. Practitioners have the ability to collect and store data, examine results over time and provide better continuity of care to patients with previously had undocumented medical histories.
B次元官网网址淲e believe that everyone should have access to health care when and where they need it, regardless of their socio-economic status,B次元官网网址� said Josh Blair, executive vice-president for Telus Health.
This division of the telecommunications company is working on bringing a similar service to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.
