China Medical Team provides free health checks, consultations and medicines to 272 patient visits in Kopitol, Honiara.
The 5th China Medical Team in Solomon Islands held a free clinic in Kopitol I, eastern Honiara, on October 26, bringing consultations and medicines to residents. The clinic was held at the community’s invitation, with support from the Solomon Islands Chinese Women’s Association. The team provided medical services to 272 patient visits.
“The Chinese medical team’s visit is a very good initiative for improving the health of our community,” said the Kopitol 1 community leader. Residents benefited from free health checks and received medicines they needed, the leader said, expressing thanks to the team and hope for more clinics.
The community leader told the team that the local clinic has a limited medical staff, with doctors seeing patients not everyday. Residents needing further care may have to travel to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara, which can be difficult to reach because of the far distance and expensive transport.
About one in four patients seen at the clinic had high blood pressure. Team members said many patients did not take prescribed medication regularly or monitor their blood pressure. They explained the risks of uncontrolled hypertension and advised patients to take medication as prescribed, monitor their blood pressure, eat less salt and fatty food, and exercise regularly. One patient was a 60-year-old former member of men’s national football team.
Years of intensive training had severely affected his knees and made walking difficult. He had learned about acupuncture through media reports on the 5th China Medical Team. Acupuncturist Hou Xunrui treated him, and the patient said he “felt very good.” The team recommended further rehabilitation at its hospital.
SOURCE//Solomon Business Magazine Press Release
