Wednesday, 14 November 2018
by Jennifer Lyons, MBBS 2022
Last Saturday, 10 November 2018, the Mobile Clinic in collaboration with the Pantheo Eye Center travelled to Platres to perform ophthalmology checks.
The Mobile Clinic team made a first stop in Limassol, at the Pantheo Eye Center, to pick up the necessary equipment for the expedition and to receive refresher training in visual acuity testing.
In Platres, the clinic was hosted in a historic marketplace, which proved to be a remarkable venue for these vision checks. The space is being renovated to act as a local community historical centre.
Sixty-eight patients came from four surrounding villages and were treated to lavender tea and treats while waiting for their exams.
The student volunteers were responsible for taking patient histories and performing visual acuity testing.
They also had the opportunity to observe, assist and learn from Drs Theodoros Potamitis, Katia Papastavrou, Savvas Christou and Anthi Mina, who performed the screenings for ophthalmological diseases.
Throughout the visit, it was clear that a sense of community lay at the heart of this clinical activity. The Community leader, Mr Panayiotis Papadopoullos, sees events like this as not only a public service, but also as an opportunity for the community to become closer, stating that in Platres “hospitality is a part of life.”
Student volunteers: Chrisostomos Muwonge, Liam Chung, Ed Emslie, Mehran Modasser, Peter McGhee, Sam Janion, Catriona Walker, Sandra El- Daccache, Daniella Toumazis, Alicia Wright, Ioannis Balanos, Muhanad Matar, Hannah Turner, Jennifer Lyons
Mobile Clinic Coordinator: George Sycallides