12 November 2024
UNIC’s Medical School Mobile Clinic (MC) is making a real difference in public health by bringing essential services to rural areas in Cyprus. Each year, the MC undertakes about 15 expeditions, with three to four dedicated to cardiovascular screenings, vital for early detection of serious heart conditions, providing crucial support to villages with limited access to specialised healthcare.
For residents in remote villages, the MC’s arrival means more than a routine check-up; it signifies care and a proactive health approach, offering peace of mind to those who might not have the opportunity to visit a specialist doctor. The MC’s work has had a lasting effect by identifying potential health concerns before they develop further.
In one instance, screenings proved life-saving when a patient, advised to see a cardiologist, ended up undergoing a heart operation that prevented a heart attack. In another instance, a high elevated glucose screening prompted the patient to see his personal doctor who diagnosed a type B diabetes.
For the students who volunteer in the project, these expeditions cultivate an appreciation for the local culture, traditions, and hospitality of the Cypriot people. They practise their diagnostic and clinical skills, but also use their communication abilities put in real-life conditions, by engaging with residents in meaningful ways. Through conversations and shared experiences, students learn the value of clear and compassionate communication, skills that are essential in their roles as future healthcare providers.
Since 2012 the Mobile Clinic continues to bridge the gap in healthcare access for underserved communities. Over the past two years alone (2023-2024), ECG-specific expeditions have involved a total of 92 medical students who have provided screening tests to 267 patients, in the villages of Lythrodontas, Omodos, Xylotymbou, Anarita and Kouklia. During these expeditions, medical students have conducted a total of 801 screening tests. These expeditions demonstrate the University’s ongoing commitment to delivering essential health screenings to underserved communities, while simultaneously offering medical students invaluable hands-on experience in real-life settings.
Clinical Professors of Cardiology Panayotis Avraamides (L) and Joseph Moutiris(R) during their debriefing sessions, following the conclusion of the two recent expeditions in Lythordontas and Omodos respectively.