TOCO -They Often Cry Outreach- a philanthropic group founded by Saint Lucian ambassador, singer, and song writer Taj Weekes in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Integrated Medicines will undertake a one-week healthcare programme to attend to persons from the southern community.
The visiting US medical team of Integrated Clinics International consists of 15 persons, with eight doctors, five nurses, and two support staff.
Taj described the task as a medical mission in keeping with TOCO’s mandate to do as much as they can to help underprivileged and at-risk people. The healthcare programme will cater for treatment involving family medicine, emergency medicine and other areas.
Taj explained that this time the mission will target the southern community, since on previous occasions the TOCO team and medical professionals have conducted clinics mostly in Central Castries and environs.
He explained, “The organization has been working in Jamaica for the last 15 years and I met the person in charge of this programme while on tour; we decided to try Saint Lucia.”
Added Taj: “It’s the medical team’s first visit to Saint Lucia …with the intention of making this an annual thing. We have collaborated with the government to provide housing and accommodation for the visitors and that is important.
“And the ministry of health and the minister himself …has been really supportive of this venture.”
The schedule of the free medical checkups for the public will include Vieux Fort – February 13 and 14 from 9.00am to 5:00 p.m. and Soufriere – February 15 and 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.