Page 18 - link magazine

18 The Link Magazine • November 2003
Doctor returns to look at revolutionary health care
A West Swindon GP will be making another trip to Cuba to study its health system and speak at a conference of international delegates in
late October.
Dr Kandy Kandiah has visited " Good health give every mem- poorer and remote areas of the
the Caribbean island on six occa- has been made a ber of the popu- country, and also to spend two
sions and says that each time he central feature of lation a checkup years in a poorer country. Cuban
returns even more impressed by society in Cuba twice a year and medical schools also train many
the cradle to grave provision. "My since the Castro can refer health students from other countries.
involvement comes from a hu- revolution in the problems to a Consequently medical practition-
manitarian perspective and is 1950s; there they specialist centre ers from around the world make
strictly non-political," he said. have waiting lists i mmediately. visits to Cuba to learn how their
"What they have done in Cuba, for washing ma- Complimentary system can be adapted to their situ-
under severe economic restrictions chines and other medicine and ation.
and embargos against importing consumer goods, herbal therapies "Cuban health policy sees any
up to date medicines and equip- but there are no are also used ex- disease as a human tragedy, so
ment, is quite amazing. The health waiting lists to see tensively. As a nobody should profit from treat-
care is the best in Latin America a specialist or for daughter Alma result Cuba has ing the symptoms. Despite all the
and as good as any western health an operation." a low infant mor- economic and political difficulties
provision, often better; a third He said he was particularly in- tality and a long age span. the country has, it is remarkable
world country delivering a first terested in the Family Doctor Unit Medical training is the other area what the Cubans have been able to
world health service. And it is all programme where a locally based Dr Kandiah is impressed with. achieve and the example they set
free. doctor and nurse are required to "Students are required to work in for countries around the globe."
n Pharmacist renews contacts in the West
='1 The opening of a new pharmacy at Toothill Village Centre on 11 November sees a
return to West Swindon for pharmacist Ken Schofield.
He is remembered for running the Ashington Way Pharmacy between 1985 and
1998, which he sold to continue his partnership in the Park Lane Pharmacy.
However discussions with Toothill GP Dr Peter Swinyard encouraged him to
expand. Located right next to the Phoenix Surgery, the Toothill Pharmacy will provide
a dispensing service, a full range of over the counter medicines and a range of toiletries.
"It's been a long process obtaining the backing from the health authority and
planning permission to build the pharmacy," said Ken. "But it's all worth it and I'm
looking forward to renewing old acquaintances and also meeting new people across
the West Swindon community."
I
Looking forward to opening day, Ken Schofield

^ m Toothill Pharmacy
.

(Swindon Pharmacies Ltd)

Anew pharmacy catering

°tj n for all West Swindon

Due to open Tuesday 11 November

at Toothill Village Centre,

Dunwich Drive, next to Phoenix Surgery

Working with patients and GPs our aim will be

to provide a first class pharmacy service