Dr Rai Ragbir: I do this for the Lord

by Valdeen Shears

Medical attention and a variety of medications were on Saturday evening, offered to residents of Oropune Gardens, Piarco.

The initiative, a collaborative effort spearheaded by SuperPharm and supported by Vemco, Smith-Robertson and Hand Arnold, saw several flocked under a large white tent, to be examined by physician and surgeon, Dr Rai Ragbir.

The team also comprised volunteer staff from the Trincity, Couva and warehouse branches of SuperPharm said its chief executive officer, Glenn Maharaj.

Maharaj said the team visited Spring Village on Friday and was scheduled to treat with residents of Bamboo Settlement yesterday.

Aside from distributing relief supplies last week to affected areas, Maharaj said they wanted to give so much more.

"This is our contribution in terms of resources and supplies, in whatever way we can, we wanted to help," said Maharaj.

Ragbir, the founder of the non-governmental organisation, Rai's Heart Foundation, said his involvement is inspired by God.

"I do this for the Lord, not for politics, personal gain, favours or agenda, "said the doctor who pointed to a ceramic cross, urging others to live by faith.

He commended citizens of the country who all set aside their differences and assisted others in need. Ragbir, though, called for a national day of prayer, as the country, he said, ought to be "so thankful that no lives were lost".

A smiling Ragbir, then jokingly instructed mother of four, Venetta Williams, to smile for Newsday's camera, as he examined her ears.

As for the ailments treated due to the floods, Ragbir said, he had seen several "penetrating injuries, cuts and bruises due to patients walking through murky floodwaters". In some instances he said, they had to stitch patients on the spot.

So far, he said, several patients had been treated for rashes and fungal infections, while some for centipedes and scorpion bites.

In those instances, said the doctor, non-toxic antidotes were administered. Those patients were referred to health care institutions to look for further suspicious symptoms, other than vomiting and abdominal pains.

Tests for hypertension and diabetes were conducted and prescriptions are given when necessary.

Senior pharmacist, Sharon Thompson, said the medications prescribed were those that Ragbir had listed and available for immediate use. Patients who had to access CDAP were given the appropriate prescriptions and directed to visit SuperPharm's Trincity branch.

Residents whether affected by the recent floods or not eagerly accessed the free medical care offered.

One such person was 58-year-old Kenwyn La Touche, who "commended the doctor and his team for taking the time to think about the health of residents, aside from the material things lost in the floods".

On Friday, counselling psychologists from the Caribbean Life Management Solutions (CLMS) and De Leon and Associates, visited the area to speak with those who were directly and indirectly traumatised by Friday's floods and the aftermath.

Elizabeth Greasely, who was known in the community for her hand knitted wool pieces, lost all her belongings in the floods. Greasely said she had been fighting depression up until speaking with counsellors from CLMS, who presented her with a small clock radio and knitting materials.