Help! With closure of clinic I could lose leg

THE EDITOR: I am writing to you for help. I suffer from a severe venous ulcer on my left leg and the only place that I receive care was said to be closing down on April 1.

I am a patient at the wound care clinic at the St James Medical Complex and was told the clinic would be closing down. No explanation was given.

The clinic was opened in 2015 and run by Dr Lavanya Thondavada, a trained wound care specialist. However, last week I along with over 20 other patients were given letters of transfer to the surgical clinic at the San Fernando General Hospital and was told the St James clinic was closing its doors and will no longer be operating.

I live in San Fernando and travel to St James for treatment as my ulcer is critical and to ensure I give myself a fighting chance to save my leg. I live in pain every day and I rely on this clinic to help treat my wound.

I am 58 years old and a single parent and widow. I have been suffering from a venous ulcer for over six years and I am calling on Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh to intervene immediately and keep the clinic open under Dr Thondavada's care.

Patients with foot ulcers and other wounds like mine’s are suffering because the North West Regional Health Authority has decided to allow the sudden closure of the clinic.

I have been attending this clinic since October 2019. I had sought care at many of the nation's health centres and hospitals previously but my ulcer grew worse. It was only after joining the wound care clinic that I began getting relief.

The standard and quality of care I received at the clinic has restored my hope that I would not have to lose my leg.

However, I am now fearful that my ulcer will worsen as I now have to rely on the very same health centres that made my ulcer worse in the first place. I am scared that as the sole breadwinner in my family that if I do not receive the same level of care as at the specialised clinic I could lose my leg.

If anyone can help I can be reached at 325-7224.

DERA HARRILAL

via e-mail