GIU (Adapated) : The Visiting Specialist Programme in which medical experts from overseas provide their expertise to the residents of the island through an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Health and Social Services continues to be a success story.
Dr. Icilma Fergus-Rowe
For the third consecutive year Montserrat-born US based cardiologist Dr. Icilma Fergus-Rowe has visited the island under the program.
Dr. Fergus-Rowe recently in March became the National President Association of Black Cardiologists in the United States and Associate Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
In 2011 she started a series of annual visits to Montserrat leading teams of heart experts in providing specialist services to residents of the island.
Reporting on this year’s visit which ended last Thursday she said she said, “there were certainly some patient cases where the visit was absolutely critical and this reinforces how much need is still unmet on the island.”
Over a three day period from last Tuesday, 15th to Thursday 16th April, The Dr. Fergus team saw 79 patients – 27 men and 52 wom
en.
That was up from the 67 people seen last year. During the first trip in 2011 Dr Fergus-Rowe and her team saw 75 patients.
Dr. Janice SCobie
Describing the visit as an “incredible experience, ” Dr Fergus-Rowe, who was accompanied by fellow cardiologist Dr Janice Scobie also of Mount Sinai School of Medicine Medical, said : “I had a very fulfilling experience knowing that we contributed towards the heart health of the people of Montserrat.”
She also stated that an educational forum held as part of this year’s visit, was very well received
and referenced by several patients who came in the following day to be seen.
“The forum generated some new visits as well as a call to action for healthier living including planting more gardens.”
In expressing thanks to the local organisers and facilitators in the Ministry of Health and at the Glendon Hospital, Dr Fergus-Rowe indicated that for the future, she would also be interested in providing a forum for education specific to the health care providers.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Elijah Silcott thanked the Montserrat-born health expert for her contribution to her homeland. He said the visit came at a critical time for many of the patients seen.
Mr. Silcott said: “The visit emphasizes the value of the Visiting Specialist Programme, providing critical care to the people of Montserrat at a fraction of the cost. “
He also stated that a comprehensive analysis of the value of the visit will be done and presented in a subsequent report.
