Nearly a week into the USVI Wellness Fair, residents across the territory who attended the free health care event have expressed joy and gratitude for the free medical services, even though they sometimes had to wait hours to receive treatment or return days later.
Of course, this is due to the overwhelming number of people taking advantage of the free services. “I came on Tuesday, went home and had to come back today. There were too many people and I couldn’t do anything but I got it all done today. It was a good day,” said one resident who just received treatment on Thursday. Services provided by military medical experts from the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office and the Victorian Department of Health, include dental and eye care, as well as health screenings, paediatric wellness checks and mental health screenings.
Due to the high turnout, some residents seeking care had to wait hours or even days to be seen by a medical professional, but for many, the service was worth the wait. “I came in at 8am yesterday and left at 4pm because there was chaos with people who had been sent home the day before because of the power outage. Overall I can’t complain and [I] “People who attended the fair were able to get the information they needed,” said another resident. The resident, an elderly person who uses a cane, said event staff helped her in her wheelchair and walked her to her car afterward. “I came here for my eyes and I had serious eye problems so I got a good result. They didn’t know what I had but they examined me well and told me what was wrong,” the resident continued, explaining that while a local doctor couldn’t diagnose her eye problem, a medical professional at the fair provided the answers. This resident, like others, said the medical professional told them they would mail them prescription glasses for free.
Two others who came to the fair with me on a Wednesday, returned on Thursday and were told to come back again on Friday described the experience as “annoying”, while another resident said “they keep everything organised” and “it’s been a great experience for me”.
For one Crucian who received dental and vision services, the fair was an uplifting moment for the community, especially considering the many other issues Big Island residents have to deal with. “I think this is a good thing for people who know the hard times on the island,” the resident said. Another resident echoed the sentiment, saying, “It was a very serious thing the governor tried to do. At least he did something good because we have a lot of problems on the island.”
The health fairs will be held at the Evanna Eudora Keene High School gymnasium in St. Thomas and the Educational Complex School gymnasium in St. Croix. Pediatric services will be provided at the Ministry of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Clinic. The free services will begin June 1 and end Sunday.
